Master - Media and Technology Ma

MTM Selected Issues 2: AI Challenging Established Media Paradigms

Master - WS '26/'27

C. Loebbecke

2 SWS, 6 CP

Fridays, 2:45 - 6:00 pm

First Session: Oct. 23, '26 (IMPORTANT: Begin at 11:30 am!)

Location: Lecture Hall XVIII (main building)

Held in English

Free Tickets to Digitale-Leute.de, see below!

Registration only via KLIPS during the 1st and 2nd registration period!

Overview

This master level discussion course looks for yet unanswered questions in the triangle of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), non-fictional media content (journalism / documentaries), and creativity.

We cover the very basics of media business models and the potential impact of different AI applications. We also develop our understanding of the term 'creativity' in the context of AI and non-fictional content.

Along those lines, we discuss several related questions. Which arguments in media business models does AI change and which ones it does not change? Can AI ever produce creative content? Which role does 'our' understanding of creativity play in this context? Are newspaper articles creative or should they be? When is creativity something positive? Do 'we' want 'more' creativity in journalism and documentaries? What do we really know in the this context triangle, where do we mainly extrapolate from our individual experiences, what could and should we analytically investigate?

What can we learn from the academic literature that helps us build a compelling line of argument?

Upon some groundwork, we mirror our questions and thoughts against experienced guest speakers in the classroom and perhaps during an event / company visit.

The course goal is to develop, fine-tune, and back-up one's arguments (not technical solutions!) focusing on the need to discuss the contribution of creativity and the need to create mid-term economic or societal value from journalism, documentaries or other forms of non-fictional media content.

Students can choose a preferred media genre for contributing to a hopefully candid discussion. They will not need any technological experience, but should be ready to identify open issues and think through different lines of arguments.

We will let registered students know when we will list some academic readings here by the end of September. Highly relevant is the first session which will provide all detailed course info, materials, and dates.

Dates - all '26

Oct. 23 (block session with most of the 'factual' content and all course details), beginning at 11:30 am.

Thursday, Nov. 05: Guest Speaker: Ute Biernat, 25 years CEO UFA Show & Factual (14:00 - 17:30 during EMS course in HS XIII)

Wednesday, Nov 18, all day in the Palladium: Digitale Leute Summit (digitale-leute.de), some sessions will be pre-selected, tickets will be provided to MTM Isues 2 students.

Nov. 13

Nov. 27 or Dec. 04

Dec. 18 (Final Paper due - for all details see slides and first session - no session on the day!)

Course Material

Students registerd for the exam will receive all slides and two mandatory readings before the first session via eMail.

Course Grading

Grading will be based on

- 80%: Course paper (including intermediate assignments / steps)

- 20%: Final Examination (building on discussed course material and final paper)

- Active Participation (possibility to improve grade of the course paper)

It is required to at least 'pass' (grade 4.0 or better) each grading element for passing the course.

'Alle Prüfungselemente müssen mindestens bestanden sein.'

Course Registration

Only via KLIPS during 1st and the 2nd registration period!

Exam Registration

Only via KLIPS by Oct. 12, '26.