Communication remains the lifeblood of every democratic society. Yet the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence and synthetic media has introduced unprecedented challenges at the intersection of journalism, public policy, and institutional governance. As the lines between authentic information and automated content continue to blur, democratic institutions face a defining question: How can public trust be preserved when the creation and dissemination of information are increasingly shaped by machines?

On behalf of the Center for Media & Peace Initiatives (CMPI), New York, I am honored to invite you to attend the 14th Gershowitz Conference on Media and Democratic Governance and join scholars, policymakers, media professionals, public administrators, and civic leaders in exploring how governance, public policy, and ethical leadership must adapt in an age of algorithmic autonomy and emerging technocracy.

The conference will be held on November 19, 2026, in Conference Room 9207 at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) under the theme:

“Governing the Machine: AI Automation, Synthetic Media, and the Future of Public Trust.”

The conference will feature distinguished speakers, including:

• Ambassador James Franklin Jeffrey, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, Special Presidential Envoy, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, and member of the CIA External Advisory Board.
  
• Peter Bassey, Technology and Cybersecurity Risk Professional with extensive experience at Deloitte, Credit Suisse, and The Bank of New York Mellon.
  
• Anna Tsybko, Executive Director, American Red Cross, West Texas Chapter.
  
• Dr. Stephen Rolandi, Professor of Public Administration, Pace University, New York.
  

Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, participants will examine the opportunities and risks posed by AI-driven communication systems, the proliferation of synthetic media, and the evolving responsibilities of governments, media institutions, and civil society in safeguarding democratic accountability and public confidence.

Registration

The conference is free of charge, but advance registration is required.

We look forward to welcoming you to this timely and important conversation on the future of media, governance, and public trust.