Hybrid symposium · 20 August 2026 · Kristiansand + online

Who decides what we know?

AI assistants are quietly becoming the gatekeepers of news. This half-day symposium brings together researchers, journalists, editors and policy actors to examine what that means for democracy, trust and the future of public knowledge.

Thursday, 20 August 2026 09:30–13:30 Paviljon, NLA University College, Kristiansand Also available online

Why attend

Editorial visibility

When AI summarises the news, which sources get seen — and which disappear?

Media trust

How do AI intermediaries affect the credibility signals audiences rely on?

Audience agency

What happens to editorial authority and reader choice in an AI-first world?

Media sustainability

Newsrooms facing an AI layer between themselves and their audiences.

Policy

What rules and frameworks does AI-driven news distribution actually follow or need?

Research

What does the evidence show — and where are the critical gaps?

Programme

09:30–09:45

Arrival, Coffee and Tea

09:45–10:00

Welcome and Introduction

Audiences, AI Assistants and News Discovery — Professor Carol Azungi Dralega, NLA University College

10:00–10:45

Keynote

AI Assistants and the Changing Conditions of News Consumption — Professor Raul Ferrer Conill, University of Stavanger

10:45–11:00

Q&A and Discussion

Assistant Professor Abit Hoxha, University of Agder (Chair)

11:00–11:30

Global Trends, Local Questions

Findings from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism — Dr. Felix Simon, University of Oxford

11:30–11:45

Break

11:45–12:45

Panel Discussion

AI Assistants, Journalism and the Future of Public Knowledge — Associate Professor Franz Krüger, NLA University College (Moderator)

Panellists — Full list to be confirmed

Emily La Rosa — PostDoc, University of Bergen & MediaFutures

Ketil Moland Olsen — Senior Project Manager, Media Cluster Norway

Raul Ferrer Conill — Professor, University of Stavanger

Abit Hoxha — Assistant Professor, University of Agder

+ Representatives from Medietilsynet, Norsk Redaktørforening and media houses (to be confirmed)

12:45–13:00

Open Discussion and Closing Reflections

13:00–13:30

Lunch and Informal Networking

Organisers

Department of Journalism, Media and Communication — NLA University College

Institute of Nordic and Media Studies — University of Agder

Getting there

By bus

Take bus no. 19 from Kristiansand city centre towards Gimlekollen. Get off at Bergtoras vei stop, then follow signs to campus — about a 10-minute walk alongside the lake.

By car

Address: Bergtoras vei 120, Gimlekollen, Kristiansand. Free parking is available on campus.

Venue

Paviljon, NLA University College, Gimlekollen — about 20 minutes from Kristiansand city centre. Full directions →

Contact

Franz KrügerAssociate Professor, NLA University College
Franz.Kruger@nla.no

Carol Azungi DralegaProfessor, NLA University College
carol.dralega@nla.no

Abit HoxhaAssistant Professor, University of Agder
abit.hoxha@uia.no