Journalism 2 and 3 students learned about the future of media at the 25th annual Tom Bigler Journalism and Media Conference on April 10, gaining knowledge on how tools such as artificial intelligence and social media are reshaping the industry.

The conference, held at Wilkes University, featured seminars led by a variety of journalists, broadcasters and media experts. Topics ranged from breaking into the field to adapting to rapid technological changes, with a strong focus on using AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for reporters’ and creativity. 

Speaker Julie Sidoni of WVIA said that AI can assist with brainstorming, organizing information and speeding up research but should never replace original reporting or critical thinking. She encouraged journalists to verify AI-generated content and maintain their own ethical standards.

The conference also had an awards ceremony recognizing student achievement in journalism. Among the winners were Ava Troup, second place for sports photo, Emma Simmons, first place for sports story, Kimberly Smyser, first place for opinion story, Kaitlin Gelardi, first place for news photo, Reilly Newton, first place for news story and Mike Iuzzolino, second place for news story. 

The Del.Aware newspaper also won the Excellence in Journalism overall award and second place for layout and design.

Throughout the day, students attended workshops and asked questions to professionals. The event was both informative and inspiring, providing a clear understanding of the use of modern media while also highlighting the importance of storytelling and adaptability in a constantly evolving field.