YEREVAN, Armenia — From June 24-28, the Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) of the American University of Armenia (AUA) organized a networking meeting and workshops on artificial intelligence (AI) and social media for both professional journalists in Armenia and the AUA community. The events were hosted by Washington State University (WSU) Associate Professor of Management Chris Cooney and Professor of Strategic Communication Rebecca L. Cooney.
Titled “Building a Stronger Media in Armenia: Exploring the Potential of AI and Social Media,” the week-long event was specifically tailored for working local journalists and social media professionals, as well as AUA faculty and students.
During the week of June 24-28, award-winning professors Cooney and Cooney attended an informal networking meeting with AUA faculty and students and conducted workshop sessions both at AUA and in Gyumri.
During the informal networking meeting, attendees briefly introduced themselves before proceeding to discuss one of the most intriguing topics of our time: how to effectively integrate AI and social media into everyday activities and work tasks without removing creativity and disparaging one’s own unique voice. The participants then exchanged views about the pros and cons of using AI and social media, engaging in a spirited and constructive debate over the subject.
The subsequent days were dedicated to the two workshops each of the guest presenters led for separate groups: one of the workshops focused on finding your voice on social media and the other explored ways of leveraging AI for information gathering and storytelling. The two workshops on AI and social media were specifically designed for students of AUA’s “English for Media and PR Professionals” program, as well as two separate groups of journalists and social media professionals.
The event concluded with a visit to Gyumri, where Cooney and Cooney each hosted a workshop session on social media and AI, respectively.
Training sessions and other events, organized within the CEJ, will be ongoing, with the ultimate objectives of improving the media landscape in Armenia, training quality journalists, fostering networking opportunities, increasing knowledge of best practices and technical skills, and enhancing the credibility and reputation of Armenian media.
The American University of Armenia, in partnership with Washington State University, signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 to establish a Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) and create a new master’s program in multiplatform journalism. The $1.3 million, four-year university partnership initiative is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan to support Armenia’s media sector. CEJ serves as a hub for journalism education and leadership in research, training, best practices, and collaboration with leading experts and policy makers that advances knowledge of how quality journalism can serve as a bulwark against misinformation and improve networking within Armenia’s journalism ecosystem. The Center also offers professional development programs serving the wider media community.
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