AI in Media Education and the Training of Media Professionals

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed both the media landscape and the field of education, prompting critical questions about how higher education institutions—particularly those specialising in media and communication—are responding to these shifts. This chapter investigates the intersection between AI, media education, and the professional preparation of future media practitioners. Through a literature review and content analysis, the study explores how AI is being discussed, implemented, and critically assessed within education. Two principal research trajectories are identified: first, the integration of AI into general media education aimed at fostering digital, informational, and critical literacy across various educational stages; and second, the implementation of AI-driven tools and concepts in the training of future media professionals, such as journalists, editors, and media managers. The findings reveal growing attention to the ethical, technical, and pedagogical challenges posed by AI, including issues of data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the credibility of AI-generated content. Moreover, the analysis highlights the need to update existing educational models and syllabi to better reflect the realities of AI-driven media environments. Emphasis is placed on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among educators, technologists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. This chapter concludes that effective media education in the age of AI must go beyond technical training and encompass ethical reasoning, critical thinking, and adaptive skills. By equipping students with both practical competencies and a critical understanding of AI, higher education can contribute to shaping informed, responsible, and future-ready media professionals.