In the world we live today, what makes us human—or less human?
Has the advent of new media technologies improved the quality of people’s lives?
How can communication media promote contentment over greed in this age of media commercialism?
Will robots replace humans?
These and other related questions will be discussed at the 27th Annual Conference of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. This is scheduled on 17-19 June 2019. The conference theme is Communication, Technology, and New Humanism.
Amidst today’s media culture and technological civilization, and as the world continues to face opportunities, challenges and risks in the use of ICT, AMIC believes that issues and hard questions on the relationship of man and technology have to be asked and answered and our annual forum provide an ideal platform.
AMIC recognizes the urgent need for a return to values— and calls for new humanism and mindfulness.
AMIC is an international non-government organization (NGO) mandated to spearhead communication media development in the Asia Pacific region. Established in 1971 in Singapore, AMIC promotes a free and socially responsible communication media sector in Asia Pacific. It is now based in Manila, Philippines.
Never in the history of mankind have humans been presented with an option on whether to be human or otherwise. We now seriously talk of the concept of post humanism not as an abstract but a real construct. Robotics, artificial intelligence, and algorithm are among the dominating issues that animate our debate on what makes us human—or less human. The 27th AMIC Conference is expected to be very challenging as it threads on a theme many may find controversial, if not heretic.
AMIC’s annual conference is regarded as the premier event on Asian communication media and attracts eminent international speakers and participants from the communication media industry as well as those from the academia. Some 300 participants attend this annual event. It is held in rotation in countries across the Asia‐Pacific region.
Among the topics for discussion during the different plenary and parallel sessions are Communication, Technology, and New Humanism; Communication, Human Rights, and Democracy; Asian Communication Theories and Research Agenda; Understanding Post-humanism: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, & Dataism; Gender and Media; Mindful Communication; Cyber wellness and Media & Information Literacy; Social Media and Social Good; Communication in a Post-truth Era; Risk, Disaster, and Humanitarian Communication; and Health and Wellness Communication.
Among the leading communication scholars and practitioners who have confirmed their participation in the conference are Dr. Eddie Kuo (SIM University, Singapore), Prof. Tapio Varis (University of Tampere, Finland), Dr. Wimal Dissanayake (University of Hawaii), Dr. Ronny Adhikarya (ex-Manager, The World Bank), Dr. Jack Lunchuan Qiu (University of Hongkong, China), Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoota (Chulalongkorn University), Dr. Ang Peng Hwa (National Technological University, Singapore), Dr. John Lent (Temple University, USA), Dr. Martin Hadlow (University of Queensland), Dr. Parichart Sthapitanonda (Chulalongkorn University), Dr. Crispin C. Maslog (AMIC), Dr. Binod Agrawal (Media Research Centre, India), and Mr. Arun Mahizhnan (National University of Singapore).
During the conference, the winner of the 2019 AMIC Asia Communication Award will also be announced. Started in 2006, the Award recognizes outstanding achievements in four areas of communication media: Truth in Journalism Award, Transformative Leadership Award, Teaching Hero Award, and Disruptive Inquiry (Communication Research). Since its inception, the award has been conferred to 19 communication scholars, educators and practitioners.
Communication professionals interested to attend this conference may email [email protected] for more details.
