AI and Society

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape documentary filmmaking, including the future of animal advocacy media. From AI-assisted editing to adaptive storytelling and personalized messaging, emerging technologies could change how advocacy films persuade audiences. This post explores the promise, risks, ethics, and communication challenges of using AI in documentaries focused on animal welfare and social change.

At the CHS AI Teaching Summit at VCU, the Media + AI Initiative served as a major sponsor, helping support a full day of faculty conversations, workshops, and student perspectives on AI in higher education. In this post, I reflect on why sponsoring events like this is a core part of our Strategic Plan—connecting classroom innovation, faculty development, and cross-campus collaboration into real practice.

Advertising is entering a new era thanks to AI. Tools are no longer just assisting with targeting or copy generation. Increasingly, they are learning, adapting, and optimizing campaigns in real time. For advertising professionals, this raises an important question: what happens when ads are no longer static outputs, but self-improving systems? What does this mean for viewers? Advertising Has Always Been About Attention Any advertiser will tell you that advertising has always