Artificial intelligence is shaping all areas of our lives – from work, communication, and education to politics and the economy. The opening event of the conference series »Reporting the Machines« focused on the topic of »Ethical AI«. What could ethical artificial intelligence look like – AI that benefits people rather than causing harm? And how can digital sovereignty and transparency be ensured? These questions were discussed by experts, practitioners, media professionals, and researchers on 11 December at Publix. The conference is part of the recently launched Publix Technology Journalism Fellowship and brings together representatives from media, academia, politics, and civil society. Together, they explore responsibility in the design and application of AI systems, power structures and digital sovereignty, as well as the role of journalism in making opportunities and risks visible.
Publix Director Maria Exner opened the conference with a clear call to create more spaces like this: spaces where systems, companies, and power structures behind AI can be critically discussed, along with the societal impacts they entail. Among the speakers was Dr. Annette Zimmermann, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Associate Professor of Statistics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who delivered a keynote on how to limit the power of big tech companies and strengthen civil society.
Best practices for the use of AI were shared by the digital health company HelloBetter, the interdisciplinary digital art initiative The Pearl, and our Grantee Tactical Tech, which critically examines technology in its work. The question of whether machines can feel empathy – and what this means for human–machine interaction – was explored in a conversation between Prof Dr. Aimee van Wynsberghe, Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Applied Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and Lisa Hegemann, Head of the Digital Department at DIE ZEIT.
Further speakers included Sidney Fussell, filmmaker and investigative journalist; Simon Berlin, writer for the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Social Media Watchblog; and Prof Dr Wiebke Loosen, Senior Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research and the Hans-Bredow-Institute.
New Fellowship for Technology and AI Journalism
The conference series »Reporting the Machines« is part of Publix’s new Technology Journalism Fellowship. The fellowship is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. With this program, Publix aims to strengthen independent, critical, and forward-looking reporting on artificial intelligence and its ethical implications. The fellowship is aimed at journalists and media professionals who are interested in critically examining AI-based technologies and their responsible use. It offers participants space to deepen their knowledge, gain new perspectives, and build connections across different fields of expertise.
The program includes two networking and research phases of 14 days each, taking place in Germany and other European countries. During these phases, participants gain insights into technological basics and political decision-making processes and engage with questions of AI regulation. The fellowship also facilitates exchange with editorial teams, researchers, developers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
The application phase for the first call has closed, and the selection process is currently underway. The fellows will be announced at the beginning of 2026. The next call for applications is planned for mid-2026. Further information is available here.