Reporting the Machines – Journalism and the Ethics of AI

Date

Thu, Dec 11, 2025

Start

2:00 PM

End

7:00 PM

Promoter

Publix gGmbH

Speakers

Dr. Annette Zimmermann, Felix Kartte, Lisa Hegemann, Sidney Fussell, Prof. Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe, Prof. Dr. Wiebke Loosen, Simon Berlin

Artificial intelligence is transforming our everyday lives, how we work, learn, communicate and make decisions. With the increasing use of AI systems, an urgent question arises: how can AI be used in ways that benefit humans rather than cause harm? And who explains to the public how these technologies work, which values they shape and what power they exert?

The new conference series “Reporting the Machines” brings together journalists, scientists, civil society and policy experts, AI developers and start-up founders. Together, we discuss responsibility in the design and application of AI systems, as well as the role of journalism in highlighting opportunities and risks, revealing power structures and strengthening digital sovereignty.

Supported by the Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien, the conference takes place as part of the new Publix Tech-Journalism-Fellowship, in cooperation with 1014 Germany and the MIZ Babelsberg.

Programm

13:30-14:00 Uhr Einlass

14:00-14:10 Uhr Begrüßung – Maria Exner

14:10-14:30 Uhr Keynote – Dr. Annette Zimmermann: The Prompt, The Press, and The Public Square: Keeping Big Tech in Check and Civil Society Strong

14:30-15:15 Uhr Talk – Sidney Fussell und Maria Exner: Reporting the Machines. What It Takes, What It Changes

15:15-15:30 Uhr Kaffeepause

15:30-16:15 Uhr Panel – Felix Karrte, Prof. Dr. Wiebke Loosen, Simon Berlin: Governing Ethical AI. A Perspective on Trust and Responsibility

16:15 - 17:30 Uhr Best Practices – HelloBetter, The Pearl, Tactical Tech

17:30-18:00 Uhr Soup und Evening Admission

18:00 - 19:00 Uhr Talk – Prof. Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe & Lisa Hegemann: Caring Machines: Ethics of Human-Machine Interaction (tbd)

Speakers:
Dr. Annette Zimmermann (University of Wisconsin Madison)
Lisa Hegemann (Head of Digital, DIE ZEIT)
Felix Kartte (Policy entrepreneur and special advisor to the European Commission)
Prof. Dr. Wiebke Loosen (Universität Hamburg)
Prof. Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe (University of Bonn)
Sidney Fussell (Filmmaker/Investigative Journalist)

From Practice:
HelloBetter (digital health company)
The Pearl (interdisciplinary AI art collective)
Tactical Tech (creative NGO fostering critical engagement with technology)

We look forward to your registration and to engaging in discussion together.