Speakers
We are extremely excited to showcase our impressive speakers for this media symposium hosted by SPJ Georgia at School of Communication and Media at Kennesaw State University. Read about them in their bios below.
Sree Sreenivasan
AI Workshop
Sree is a pioneering expert with two decades of experience demystifying and harnessing the potential of emerging technologies. He is CEO and co-founder of Digimentors, a digital, social, events and training consultancy. He is the former Chief Digital Officer of New York City, the Metropolitan Museum, and Columbia University. He was a professor of journalism at Columbia and Stonybrook universities over a 25-year period and winner of the 1998 SPJ Campus Chapter Adviser of the Year.
Since 2022, he has served on the board of Nobel Prize Foundation Outreach. In 1994, he co-founded SAJA, the South Asian Journalists Association, and in 1999, ONA, the Online News Association.
Since 2022, he has served on the board of Nobel Prize Foundation Outreach. In 1994, he co-founded SAJA, the South Asian Journalists Association, and in 1999, ONA, the Online News Association.
Martin Savidge
KEYNOTE
Martin Savidge has been covering the stories of our times for more than 40 years.
Working in print, digital, radio and television for the Associated Press, CNN, NBC, and PBS he has reported on-scene and anchored network newscasts both domestic and international.
In addition to his network coverage Savidge spent more than a decade proudly working in local news building close relationships with civic entities as well as the communities he served.
Savidge has been awarded almost every major journalistic award there is. But, his greatest personal reward is to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of journalists.
Working in print, digital, radio and television for the Associated Press, CNN, NBC, and PBS he has reported on-scene and anchored network newscasts both domestic and international.
In addition to his network coverage Savidge spent more than a decade proudly working in local news building close relationships with civic entities as well as the communities he served.
Savidge has been awarded almost every major journalistic award there is. But, his greatest personal reward is to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of journalists.
Interested in speaking at future events? Reach out to SPJ Georgia's board at [email protected]
Schedule
| 10:30 am
Welcome
Come meet other students and professionals and take your seat before the keynote begins!
| 10:45 am
Keynote: Martin Savidge
Martin Savidge has been covering the stories of our times for more than 40 years. Working in print, digital, radio and television for the Associated Press, CNN, NBC, and PBS he has reported on-scene and anchored network newscasts both domestic and International. Savidge has covered more than a dozen conflicts including embeds with US, Canadian, Australian, and UN forces in such places as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Kashmir, Lebanon, Kosovo, Albania, Israel, The West Bank, Gaza, and East Timor. He has reported on major natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, sandstorms, floods, and blizzards. Savidge is one of the few reporters in New Orleans when Katrina struck reporting from the shattered and cut-off city for a week before help arrived. He is also among the few who can describe the challenges of covering a nuclear disaster on the ground as he did with Chernobyl and Fukushima. He has seen and reported on the horrific consequences of terror attacks both international and domestic, as well as more than 2-dozen mass shootings and was on scene at Ground Zero in New York. Savidge has covered politics and the polarizing divide that continues today as well as major trials that have gripped the nation from Casey Anthony to George Zimmerman, to the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. He’s been on the streets in the swirl of protest and tear gas reporting on public outrage. In addition to his network coverage, Savidge spent more than a decade proudly working in local news building close relationships with civic entities as well as the communities he served.
Savidge has been awarded almost every major journalistic award there is. But his greatest personal reward is to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of journalists and those who will benefit from understanding how crucial journalism is to the democracy we cherish.
Savidge has been awarded almost every major journalistic award there is. But his greatest personal reward is to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of journalists and those who will benefit from understanding how crucial journalism is to the democracy we cherish.
| 11:45 am
Networking and lunch break
We will provide opportunities for students and professionals in attendance to meet for networking. Plus, take some time to grab lunch during this break before our next session.
| 12:30 am
AI Workshop: Sree Sreenivasan
This promises to be an enlightening session that will deepen your understanding of generative AI's significance in our ever-changing world. During this workshop, we’ll explore the following key aspects of generative AI.
What is generative AI: We'll break down the fundamentals of AI, providing an understanding of this cutting-edge technology.
Why it's useful: Discover the real-world applications and benefits that generative AI offers to various industries and sectors.
Why it's scary: We'll address the concerns and ethical considerations surrounding generative AI, shedding light on its potential pitfalls.
Use cases: Explore concrete examples of how generative AI is currently making an impact and shaping the future. Live demo: Witness generative AI in action with a live demonstration that showcases its capabilities.
How it applies to journalists: Understand how AI could align with and potentially enhance our mission and operations.
We encourage you to bring questions, comments, and insights! Feel free to share your favorite AI tools, if you have any.
What is generative AI: We'll break down the fundamentals of AI, providing an understanding of this cutting-edge technology.
Why it's useful: Discover the real-world applications and benefits that generative AI offers to various industries and sectors.
Why it's scary: We'll address the concerns and ethical considerations surrounding generative AI, shedding light on its potential pitfalls.
Use cases: Explore concrete examples of how generative AI is currently making an impact and shaping the future. Live demo: Witness generative AI in action with a live demonstration that showcases its capabilities.
How it applies to journalists: Understand how AI could align with and potentially enhance our mission and operations.
We encourage you to bring questions, comments, and insights! Feel free to share your favorite AI tools, if you have any.
SPJ Media Symposium Location
Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences
402 Bartow Avenue, Room 1019
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
The School of Communication and Media at Kennesaw State University prepares its graduates to actively contribute to the continuously evolving local and global communities while adapting to the constantly changing technological environment.
402 Bartow Avenue, Room 1019
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144
The School of Communication and Media at Kennesaw State University prepares its graduates to actively contribute to the continuously evolving local and global communities while adapting to the constantly changing technological environment.
Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the event?
Reach out to SPJ Georgia's board at [email protected]
Reach out to SPJ Georgia's board at [email protected]
News & Updates
Information on the event will be posted below as the date approaches
Call for Professionals!
Posted October 17
Are you a professional journalist who is hiring? You need to be at this event to meet your future staff. Students from Kennesaw and other colleges in the state will be in attendance and some may even be ready to graduate in December. Come mix and mingle with other professionals and engage in a time of development for yourself too! Make sure you register for the event and reach out to SPJ Georgia at [email protected] if you have any specific networking requests.