This is our new International Advisory Committee

As part of its long-term strategic vision, SFI MediaFutures is proud to announce its new International Advisory Committee, bringing together leading voices in Media and Artificial Intelligence from across the globe. This initiative follows the Centre’s successful mid-term evaluation and marks a significant step forward as MediaFutures enters its next phase of development.

The committee will play a crucial role in advising the Centre Director and the Board, ensuring that MediaFutures continues to make impactful, forward-looking decisions. With its term beginning May 1, 2025, and running through December 31, 2026, the committee will convene approximately four times per year, with each session dedicated to offering strategic input on ongoing initiatives and long-term ambitions.

“We are entering a decisive moment in the global media landscape,” says Centre Director Prof. Christoph Trattner. “Having an internationally connected advisory body ensures we remain not only relevant but visionary in shaping the future of responsible media technologies.”

The committee includes experts affiliated with world-renowned institutions, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to global engagement. These transatlantic ties are especially valuable given the shifting political and technological dynamics worldwide, with the U.S. continuing to be a key player in the international media and AI race. In today’s rapidly evolving environment, maintaining strong links with U.S.-based research and innovation is more crucial than ever for ensuring our strategic positioning on the global stage.

Among the members are Mor Naaman and Nicholas Diakopoulos, both based in the U.S., who bring leading-edge insights into social media dynamics and algorithmic accountability, helping us stay close to the fast-paced developments in the American media and tech sphere. Luciano Floridi, a central figure in AI ethics and digital governance, contributes a vital European perspective at the intersection of philosophy, policy, and technology. Natali Helberger strengthens the committee’s legal and societal outlook, particularly around media pluralism and democratic values, while Jatin Aythora from the BBC offers valuable input from one of the world’s most respected public service broadcasters. Ricardo Baeza-Yates, based in Silicon Valley, brings world-class expertise in information retrieval, web search, and data science, grounding our work in cutting-edge, responsible AI. Sofie Hvitved, a media futurist from the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, offers strategic foresight on the future of media and technology. Alexandre Rouxel from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) connects us to the forefront of AI innovation in public service media, with hands-on experience in metadata, standards, and applied machine learning.

Historically, advisory meetings have addressed a wide range of topics, offering guidance on both research directions and operational priorities. Looking ahead, the focus will turn to strengthening international collaboration and exploring avenues for sustaining MediaFutures beyond the conclusion of its base funding from the Research Council in 2028.

Through the new International Advisory Committee, MediaFutures reaffirms its dedication to scientific excellence, societal relevance, and global partnerships laying the foundation for a resilient, future-ready research centre.