AISCICOMM24

From June 6-7, 82 researchers and 43 practitioners met at the University of Zurich & ETH Zurich for theAI&SCICOMM24-Conference to discuss how AI will change science communication: from the communication of individual scholars and scientific institutions to science journalists, AI-based chatbots and avatars, to information sources and the engagement of citizens and stakeholders.

Among the many highlights of these two days was a keynote by Shirley S. Ho from Nanyang Technological University Singapore, who spoke on building public trust in AI-powered applications. Christoph Neuberger from FU Berlin and the Weizenbaum Institute discussed how AI might transform the knowledge order of society. A panel discussion featuring Mirko Bischofberger (Science Studios), Esther Laukötter (Center for Advanced Internet Studies), Julia Metag (University of Münster), and Jason Pridmore (Erasmus University Rotterdam) explored the relationship between research and communities of practice in AI-based science communication. Additionally, anundpfirsich, the reigning European improvisational theater champions, shared their creative take on the conference proceedings.

The conference dinner, held on the roof terrace of ETH Zurich, provided participants with a spectacular view and sunset and offered opportunities to mingle and chat.

The conference was organized in collaboration with the "Science Communication" Division of the German Communication Association (DGPuK) by IKMZ members Sabrina H. Kessler, Daniela Mahl, Mike S. Schäfer and Sophia C. Volk. Selected presentations from the conference will be published in a Special Issue in the Journal of Science Communication in 2025. The program and book of abstracts can be found here.