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News in the Digital Age 2026

NEWS IN THE DIGITAL AGE 2026

In February, FT Strategies and the Google News Initiative hosted the News in the Digital Age Summit 2026. More than 290 global media leaders gathered in London to explore how journalism can adapt, scale and thrive in an AI-mediated world.

This year’s theme, AI and the Business of Journalism, reflects a pivotal moment in the news and publishing industry. Across ten panel discussions, interactive presentations and keynote speeches, leading editors, media executives and industry experts examined how journalism can scale, adapt and grow in an increasingly AI-mediated ecosystem.

One of the standout moments came in the final session of the day, Jon Slade, CEO of The Financial Times, explored the question: ‘What makes it journalism?’. This session examined the editorial standards that news organisations must continue to uphold and communicate to their audiences. 

NEWS IN THE DIGITAL AGE 2024

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AI IN MEDIA

This panel provided first-hand accounts of how publishers are using AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) in their operations as well as the dilemmas that they face in doing so.

Moderated by Madhumita Murgia, the Financial Times’ Artificial Intelligence Editor and author of a new book on AI, the panel included Lea Korsgaard, co-founder of Danish outlet Zetland, Ezra Eeman’s, Director of Strategy & Innovation at Dutch public broadcaster NPO, and Matthew Garrahan, the FT’s Head of Digital Platforms.

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FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

With macro factors influencing news media, from economic headwinds to news avoidance or technological disruption, publishers need to think creatively to innovate in a changing landscape. 

In this panel, Mirja Cartia d'Asero, CEO of Il Sole 24 Ore, Arun Venkataraman, Global Research & Insights Lead, Google News Programs, Google and Styli Charalambous, CEO & Co-Founder, Daily Maverick presented their views on how financial sustainability can be addressed in the industry. FT Strategies Director, Lisa MacLeod, moderated the session.

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REVENUE DIVERSIFICATION

In the ever-changing landscape of news media, diversification is key to sustainability. In this session, we heard how publishers are exploring new revenue streams beyond their ‘core business’ of journalism, and how these strategies assist with their long-term success.

Moderated by Dimitra Letsa, Strategic Partner Manager, News and Publishers at Google the panel included Yvette Dimiri, Director, Stears Nigeria, Jim Egan, Principal at FT Strategies, Liz Moseley, Managing Director at Good Housekeeping, and Keith Underwood, Chief Operating & Financial Officer of Guardian Media Group.

NEWS IN THE DIGITAL AGE 2023 

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A FUTURE WITH AI

In this exclusive, virtual event FT Strategies and the Google News Initiative hosted a panel of experts to discuss how to make sense of and realise the opportunities that artificial intelligence brings to news and media organisations.

The session covers both how to think strategically about AI and also how to move from developing an AI strategy into practical implementation.

Access the full video that highlights the key takeaways from the event and summarises our expert panels.

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TRUST IN THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY

When the world experiences disruption, people rely on their trusted news sources to distribute authoritative and accurate journalism. This panel discussed the continued permanence and importance of news publishing, and how we as the information ecosystem can build on this trust to better serve our audiences.

This panel included Tara Lajumoke (Managing Director of FT Strategies), John Ridding (CEO of the Financial Times) and Benedicte Autret (Head of News Partnership - UK/IE/Northern Europe of Google).

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ENGAGING GEN Z

One of the main challenges for publishers is to understand and serve the preferences, interests and passions of their younger audiences. This panel focused on this segment, their relationship with the media and the tactics that publishers can adopt to meet their needs.

Moderated by Lucy Hedges (Technologies Editor at Metro UK and Travel Show Presenter at BBC), the panel included Elena Corchero (Director of Emerging Tech at Dow Jones Live), Jack Kelly (CEO of TLDR News) and Nic Newman (Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism).