Future of Media Technology Conference

Attending the Future of Media Technology Conference was a fascinating glimpse into how AI and other technologies are reshaping journalism and content creation. The most striking theme throughout the event was how media companies are evolving to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.

Here are some of my own key take-aways from the conference:

David Dinsmore, COO of News UK, made it clear that AI is no longer just an experiment – it's an essential tool. News UK has developed AI-powered solutions like NewsAssist and Newstranscribe, which are freeing up time for journalists to focus on higher-value work. For them, it's all about efficiency – automating processes so their teams can focus on what really matters: creating human-curated content. His point about leveraging the platforms developed by tech giants was a reminder that publishers can't afford to compete with the sheer scale of their resources. Instead, news publishers should focus on reaching the right audience by using these platforms strategically.

Paul Rowland from Reach plc reinforced that adaptability is key. Their development of the "Guten" AI solution has allowed them to customize content for different platforms, but it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. He echoed the need for constant evolution, especially when managing a wide portfolio of local media brands.

Nina Wright, Chair of Harmsworth Media, emphasized that AI isn’t replacing jobs – it’s making distribution smarter. It's about using technology to create multimodal versions of content that resonate with different demographics.

A panel conversation with Graham Page of consultancy firm Q5 added another layer to the AI debate. His vision of using AI to turn structured data – like weather and sports – into news stories shows how far automation has come. It may not be all there yet, but it surely is coming. But while the tools may evolve, he firmly believes that the core of journalism remains unchanged. It’s not about replacing reporters, but about cutting down on repetitive tasks so that the focus remains on storytelling.

Fiona Spooner from the Financial Times had some great insights on balancing free and paid content. She emphasized that experimentation with subscription models is key to finding what works best in today’s landscape.

Finally, Tom Kerr from Racing Post reminded us to lean into the core strengths of a publisher and create high-quality, distinctive content. It's not just about reaching people but connecting with those high-intent audiences who truly value what is offered. Owning an audience is more important than ever, especially when it comes to monetization.

What stood out to me the most is the undeniable role AI plays in news media, but the human element – the creativity, the insights, the ability to adapt and innovate – remains central. The challenge for the news industry is to embrace these tools without losing sight of the heart of what the industry does: Fulfilling the journalistic promise to the audience.

An outstanding question from quite a few of the people my colleague, Warren Kempt, and I talked to at the event kept circling the very relevant question: We’ve now seen what AI can do for productivity, but what’s next? What will AI help us do better in the core of our journalism, the storytelling? Will AI help us identify and solve challenges we didn’t know we had just a few years ago?

Attending the Future of Media Technology conference reaffirmed to me that Stibo DX’s vision for the future of digital media remains on track. Consolidation, content convergence and accelerated innovation.

Key topics such as AI, automation, and data-driven content optimization are more relevant than ever, and Stibo DX is positioned at the forefront of this shift. As the industry embraces innovation, newsroom efficiency and audience engagement driven by compelling digital content are for sure crucial drivers of success.

Our CUE platform, designed to streamline content production, asset management, and multi-channel distribution, matches perfectly with the trends discussed during the event.

The increasing role of AI in automating editorial workflows, along with the need for smarter, data-driven decisions, resonates with what we offer. CUE enables media organizations to manage complex content operations efficiently, ensuring that they can deliver engaging, multi-modal experiences across all platforms, meeting the needs of the modern audience.