18-19 October 2024

The School of Communication at HSUHK hosted the “2024 Forum of Deans of Schools of Journalism and Communication from Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong” from 18 to 19 October 2024, to bring together communication scholars to discuss “Innovation and Collaboration in Journalism and Communication Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”.

President Simon Ho delivered opening remarks in which he emphasised need for journalism and communication education to adapt to the rapid development of AI to ensure that future journalists can responsibly report the truth with the assistance of AI, maintaining the integrity and transparency of news.

Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of the School of Communication at HSUHK discussed how AI is bringing impacts and opportunities in the field of journalism and communication. She said that as deans of journalism and communication schools, it is essential to actively respond to these changes and propose forward-looking plans to cultivate talents that meet the needs of the times.

The Forum featured a keynote speech from Professor Chen Ching-ho, President of Shih Hsin University in Taiwan. He highlighted that AI has entered its fourth wave of development, encompassing deep learning and generative AI. He also analysed the rapid transformation of the media in response to AI.

Scholars attending the forum noted that the impact of AI on the news industry and communication education is increasingly evident. AI also significantly impacts communication theories, research methods, curriculum design, and talent cultivation. In this context, journalism and communication education needs to reassess the existing educational system, implement curriculum reforms, emphasise enhancing faculty expertise, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Participating institutions included Beijing Normal University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, and Jinan University from Mainland China; Chengchi University, Shih Hsin University, Fu Jen Catholic University, and Ming Chuan University from Taiwan, as well as City University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.