Communication in the Age of AI: Transformations, Politics, and Society

Technology and artificial intelligence (AI), in the contemporary era of digital transformation, have fundamentally reshaped the ways in which communication is produced, mediated, and experienced across multiple domains. Media, marketing, education, political communication, public communication, and the broader economy have undergone an accelerated migration to digital platforms, giving rise to new forms of interaction, representation, and power (van Dijck et al., 2018). Within this evolving landscape, the media environment represents a critical moment of transformation, marked by the emergence of AI as a non-human communication actor that expands content production, enhances data analysis, and reconfigures relationships with audiences (Dodds et al., 2025).

In marketing and economics, AI has driven a transition toward data-driven, automated, and highly personalized communication systems, significantly influencing strategic decision-making processes and increasing market efficiency (Chintalapati & Pandey, 2021). At the same time, AI enables organizations to analyze consumer behavior, optimize operations, and generate competitive advantage in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment (Verma et al., 2021). These developments raise critical questions for strategic communication and public relations, particularly regarding the possibility and limits of building meaningful relationships through artificial intelligence (Oh & Ki, 2024).

In education, AI is transforming teaching and learning processes through personalized learning systems, intelligent tutoring, and automated assessment, enhancing both student performance and educational experiences (Wang et al., 2024). Consequently, the development of competencies such as AI literacy and prompt engineering has become essential for enabling critical, informed, and effective engagement with intelligent technologies (Knoth et al., 2024). At the same time, there is a growing need to critically examine these transformations in order to avoid both uncritical technological optimism and narratives of technological control and concentration of power (Popenici et al., 2025).

In political and public communication, AI is reshaping how political actors and institutions construct narratives, target audiences, and influence public perception. In an era characterized by digital propaganda, viral memes, and deepfakes, communication is increasingly mediated through algorithmic systems that privilege visibility, speed, and emotional resonance. In the so-called post-truth context, individuals are more likely to rely on beliefs and emotions than on factual information (d’Ancona, 2017), while advanced communication strategies and data-driven targeting raise significant concerns regarding manipulation, misinformation, and democratic integrity (Vaccari & Valeriani, 2021; Marichal, 2012).

Taken together, these transformations reflect a profound structural shift that requires interdisciplinary approaches to fully understand the social, economic, ethical, and democratic implications of AI-driven communication.

Conference Aim

This conference seeks to bring together scholars, practitioners, master’s students, doctoral candidates, and early-career researchers to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on communication and related fields. The event will be held online and free of charge, aiming to foster an interdisciplinary space for critical discussion, knowledge exchange, and collaborative reflection on emerging trends and challenges.

Suggested Topics (including but not limited to)

AI and the Transformation of Communication

• The role of AI as a communication actor
• Automation of media content production
• Human–machine interaction in communication processes
• Digital media, platforms, and platformization
• Journalism and public relations in the age of AI
• Digital ecosystems and their societal impact
• Algorithmic governance of information dissemination.

AI in Marketing and Economics

• Data-driven marketing and analytics
• Personalization and consumer behavior
• Automation and strategic decision-making
• Strategic communication and public relations
• Relationship-building through AI
• Ethics, trust, and transparency in automated communication
• AI in branding and reputation management.

AI in Education

• Personalized learning environments and intelligent tutors
• Automated assessment and feedback systems
• AI literacy and digital competencies
• Human–AI interaction in educational settings.

Political and Public Communication in the Age of AI

• Digital propaganda and disinformation
• Deepfakes, memes, and visual political communication
• Post-truth dynamics and public perception
• Algorithmic influence on political engagement.

Ethics, Regulation, and Social Implications

• Risks of manipulation, bias, and control
• Governance and regulation of AI technologies
• Balancing innovation with ethical responsibility
• Transparency and accountability in AI systems.

Interdisciplinary Approaches to AI

• Social, economic, and democratic implications of AI
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration and research
• Critical perspectives on technology and society.

Submission Information

We invite the submission of abstracts (150–200 words) addressing theoretical, empirical, or methodological aspects related to the conference themes, as well as contributions from interdisciplinary perspectives.

Abstracts should be sent to the conference email: [email protected]