Who Shapes the AI Story? Media Framing and the Future of AI Strategies

The Insight visitor program is an initiative by the Insight Centre to invite researchers in Data Science and AI that are globally recognized for their impact on the field to visit Insight for 3-5 days to explore collaboration opportunities.

A core feature of the visit is a public lecture on Data Science and AI, for which you can register for.

Our second lecture in the series is "Who Shapes the AI Story? Media Framing and the Future of AI Strategies and Regulations"

Who Shapes the AI Story?

Media Framing and the Future of AI Strategies and Regulations

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts globally, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dominate media and public discourse. Much like a virus, AI has rapidly embedded itself at the heart of these discussions—from military and humanitarian applications in conflicts to national security and global economic competitiveness.

In this talk, I will examine how media outlets have framed AI, particularly concerning safety issues, based on an extensive analysis of online articles published between 2020 and 2024. The discussion will highlight influential actors, their framings of AI issues, recommended solutions, and the venues they leverage to shape the narrative. Drawing from recent developments in international AI safety initiatives, emerging geopolitical dynamics, and current research findings, I will provide insights for consideration in future AI strategies and regulations.

About the presenter:

Adegboyega Ojo is Full Professor at the School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University, Canada. Prof. Ojo is also Canada Research Chair in Governance and Artificial Intelligence. His research is primarily in the area of digital government. He studies how digital and data technologies can be used to support innovation in government institutions and address societal challenges. Prof. Ojo is keen on understanding the conditions and technical design requirements for the beneficial and ethical use of data-driven innovation, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence-based solutions in different public service and policy contexts.

Before joining Carleton University, he was a tenured faculty at Maynooth University and earlier a Senior Research Fellow & Head of the E-Government Unit at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, University of Galway, Republic of Ireland. He also worked at the Centre for Electronic Governance, United Nations University in Macao SAR, China, where he supported governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in developing digital government strategies. Adegboyega is Associate Editor of the Government Information Quarterly Journal (Elsevier), Digital Government: Research and Practice journal (ACM) and also the Information Polity Journal (IOS Press). He holds a PhD in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.