James Forsdick reports on Hilary Term's New College Society Media Network event

In the final week of Trinity term, the New College Society hosted an engaging panel discussion surrounding the topic of artificial intelligence and the potential implications that it may yield for the creative industries. Lead by Alex Ruhl, panellists Theo Jones, Rupert Breheny, and Colin Byrne, all offered insights into how they were seeing the progression of AI technologies in their work and the trajectories that they perceived the technology would have in the immediate, as well as long term, future for the media industries.

Topics discussed were not limited to the positive ramifications of AI in the creative fields, they also ranged to the complicated relationship between AI and intellectual property, as well as the difficult discussion of job loss in the sector because of emerging technologies. One element that was particularly emphasised throughout the discussion was the speed of progression which can be seen currently in the potential of AI, particularly in the software being produced by industry leader OpenAI.

There could not have been a more appropriate context for New College Society to host such an event. As the Abu Dhabi state-backed firm MGX is reportedly in talks to invest in OpenAI’s new chip venture, clearly, as the panellists emphasised, AI has only just begun to alter how the media industries work. By discussing the implications of these technologies as they develop, the impact they are having and will have on all elements of media, whether that be news or video production, can at least be partially anticipated, albeit not predicted.

Following the panel, a drinks reception allowed for discussions between panellists as well as fellow New College Society members to occur. These members varied from current students and recent graduates to members who have been working in media related posts for several decades. As such, individuals with varying levels of knowledge surrounding AI, as well as the industry itself were allowed to network and share experiences and expertise.

Gratitude is owed to Tim Malbon for kindly offering his company’s Islington office for the talk, Jonathan Rubery for his efforts in coordinating such a well-planned event as well as Charlotte Mikkelborg for her work as New College Society Media Network lead. 

Report by James Forsdick, Communications Student Ambassador