Artificial Intelligence Essentials for Journalists and Powerful News Interviewing Workshop 

with Al Tompkins

Friday, September 6, 2024

William F. and Peggy L. Schmeltz Atrium
Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center
Bowling Green State University

Al Tompkins

Al Tompkins is one of America’s most requested journalism teachers. Tompkins has 52 years of journalism experience and has been awarded many of journalism’s highest awards. He has worked as a photojournalist, investigative reporter, news director, and for 25 years was the senior faculty for the Poynter Institute, one of the world’s premier training schools for professional journalists.

Event Schedule

8:15-10 a.m. - Check-in and Continental Breakfast  

9-9:45 a.m. - Career/Internship Recruitment Event for employers and students
Employers meet with students to discuss internship and job opportunities. Tables provided. Employers should mark their attendance on the registration form.

10-11:30 a.m. - Interviewing Essentials (90 mins)
Interviewing skills are at the core of journalism. Al Tompkins will bring his 52 years of journalism and teaching experience to discuss what elements make for a useful interview, including:

  • how to encourage a reluctant interview subject to open up
  • the vital importance of “setting” to influence the tone and content of your conversation
  • the kinds of questions that get information and the kinds of questions that illicit emotional responses
  • the skill of how to have a tough conversation that remains respectful

This is a practical and hands-on session. Come ready to participate.

11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. - Lunch – Tent/Tables outside Michael and Sara Kuhlin Center
Choose from three boxed lunch options on the registration form.

12:15-2:15 p.m. - Artificial Intelligence Essentials for Journalists: How Artificial Intelligence Affects Elections and Public Trust (2 hours)
There is a tidal wave of deception heading straight for your newsroom. Artificial intelligence will be a powerfully disruptive force in 2024, not just in the U.S. but also in 63 other countries as they hold elections affecting 2.6 billion people. In this interactive workshop veteran journalist and journalism trainer Al Tompkins will:

  • show you what disruptors can do right now and how easy it is, including voice cloning, image cloning, text to video, text to image
  • show you the most common mistakes AI generators make
  • give you a peek into the near-future of artificial intelligence
  • discuss how journalists can teach audiences how to become more savvy news consumers

This workshop is free for journalism professionals, educators and students. Registration is required. Parking is free with registration.

The registration fee waiver is made possible by the BGSU President's Innovation Fund: AI in Teaching and Learning and the School of Media and Communication's Future of Journalism Fund.

Registration deadline is August 23, 2024. Space is limited to 100 registrants.

Register for the workshop

Parking is available in Lot 7, Sections B, C or D; Lot E or Lot 4 off of Thurstin St. Please do not park in Lot 7, Section A. That is reserved for Admissions guests. Workshop attendees must register for parking.

AI Conference Parking Map

Please contact the School of Media and Communication with any questions at smc@bgsu.edu or 419-372-8349.

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in this event by contacting Accessibility Services at access@bgsu.edu or 419-372-8495. Please notify us prior to the event.

Updated: 07/18/2024 10:05AM