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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy

@mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social

350 followers 190 following 200 posts

Our organization examines how media and emerging technologies shape democracy. We’re housed at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, and led by Taylor Owen.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · Jul 16

🚨 Our latest report, What Should the CBC Be? is out now!

The conclusion is clear: Canadians want CBC/Radio-Canada to continue, but it must evolve to remain relevant and trusted.

Here's a sneak peek at the report 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 2d

These sessions are your chance to:
✅ Learn about the forums & how to apply
✅ Meet the project leads & youth fellows
✅ Ask questions before applying
Register here: tinyurl.com/4tabx6wp

Gen(Z)AI: National Youth Forums on AI — Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy

AI & Information Integrity: January 30 - February 1

tinyurl.com

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 2d

Gen(Z)AI will bring together 100 young Canadians to explore AI’s impact through forums in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver & Halifax — creating real recommendations to make AI safer & more trustworthy.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 2d

📢 Want to learn more before applying to Gen(Z)AI?
We’re hosting two national Info Sessions where youth (17–23) can ask questions & hear from the team about this exciting new project:
🗓️ Oct 6, 8PM ET
🗓️ Oct 14, 5PM ET

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Applications are now open!

If you’re 17–23 and passionate about the future of AI & democracy, apply today 👉 tinyurl.com/ydntye26

Gen(Z)AI: National Youth Forums on AI — Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy

tinyurl.com

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Participants will work with leading experts, deliberate with peers, and co-create evidence-based micro-recommendations to improve public trust & safety.

Insights will flow into a national plenary in Ottawa, where select participants will present directly to policymakers.

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Together, we'll tackle big questions about AI:
🤖 Chatbots
📰 Information Integrity
🔐 Data Privacy
🧑‍💻 Age Assurance

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Introducing Gen(Z)AI — the first national youth engagement initiative on AI in Canada.

Over the next year, we'll bring together 100 young Canadians across 4 regional forums:
📍 Toronto
📍 Montreal
📍 Vancouver
📍 Halifax

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

As a generation that both uses AI and will be deeply affected by it, your perspectives matter.

Now’s the time to ask: how do we want to live, think, and interact with AI?

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

🚨 Calling all young Canadians (17–23): help shape the future of AI in Canada!

Billions are being poured into AI, but what Canada’s AI future looks like isn't clear. That’s why we need your voice in the conversation. 🧵

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Read the full announcement here: tinyurl.com/4xc7wzbp

Welcoming Anna Jahn as Executive Director of the Newly Merged Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy — Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy

We are thrilled to announce that Anna Jahn will be joining McGill as Executive Director of the newly merged Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy and Media Ecosystem Observatory. Anna will also s...

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

With Anna’s vision and leadership, we’re entering an exciting new chapter of scaling our impact, expanding innovative research, and shaping global conversations on democracy in the digital era. Welcome, Anna!

#Democracy #DigitalGovernance #AI #Policy

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

"What draws me here isn't just the urgent questions we're tackling - how AI shapes democratic processes, how platforms influence public discourse - but the Centre's unique approach to answering them [by bridging] the gap between rigorous research and policy impact."
- Anna Jahn

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Anna's experience includes:
➡️ Leading global AI governance work at Mila
➡️ Creating the AI Policy Fellowship & Indigenous Pathfinders in AI at Mila
➡️ Directing the Action Canada Fellowship Program

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

She will be leading the newly merged Centre for Media,Technology and Democracy, which will bring together the work of @meo-cdmrn.bsky.social and the Centre. We will continue building on both teams’ strengths to advance research and policy leadership.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

Anna will also serve as Associate Professor of Research at the @maxbellschool.bsky.social, bringing deep expertise at the intersection of technology, governance & public policy.

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 7d

We’re thrilled to welcome Anna Jahn as the new Executive Director of the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy at McGill University! 🎉

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

Left To Their Own Devices is available now, wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Listen on Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/89hxh2cv
🔗 Listen on Spotify: tinyurl.com/yx6m8d2b

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

Armed with questions and a year to investigate, Ava traveled across the continent.

She met:
🎧 Teens in 12-step programs for social media addiction
🎧 Girls wrestling with compulsive porn use
🎧 Boys blackmailed by international cybercriminals

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

At 12, host Ava Smithing (Centre Youth Fellow and Young People's Alliance Advocacy Director) spiralled down a social media rabbit hole that nearly cost her life.

A decade later, she learned she wasn't alone: Big Tech had quietly rewritten childhood for an entire generation.

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 12d

We handed kids the most powerful technology in history. Then we walked away.

New podcast Left To Their Own Devices from Paradigms and the @thestar.com explores what happened next. 🧵

#Podcast #PodcastLaunch #TechandSociety #onlinesafety

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 14d

Share this with teachers and students you know who are navigating AI in higher education!

#artificialintelligence #university #ChatGPT

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 14d

Machines Like Us is a podcast by @theglobeandmail.com with support from CIFAR and @maxbellschool.bsky.social.

Stay tuned for more critical conversations with guests including Geoffrey Hinton, @rutgerbregman.com, @ednewtonrex.bsky.social, and many others!

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 14d

This debate isn't just about classrooms, it's about the future of how we think.

Watch season 2 episode 1 here: tinyurl.com/muvw84hu

AI is Upending Higher Education. Is That a Bad Thing? (Niall Ferguson & Connor Grennan)

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 14d

Just 2 months after ChatGPT launched, 90% of college students were already using it. Today, it’s surely closer to 100%. But are students learning or letting AI think for them?

Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social · 14d

Host and Centre director @taylorowen.bsky.social is joined by 2 guests with differing perspectives on what AI means for the future of higher ed:
➡️ Conor Grennan – Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern
➡️ Niall Ferguson – Senior Fellow at Stanford & Harvard + Co-Founder of the University of Austin