The TADAM project, Tools and Awareness about Disinformation, Algorithms and Media, was of great interest to our Romanian IAME member, who was enthusiastic about setting up a workshop in Vaslui, Romania. Indeed, IAME is an associate partner of the TADAM project and had launched a call to its members to set up activities beyond the borders of TADAM consortium itself. This “grassroot” workshop was addressed to teachers to raise awareness of the use of AI in education and media production.
On Friday 31 January 2025, the National Audiovisual Office of Romania, in collaboration with representatives from the ‘Alexandra Nechita’ primary and middle school in Vaslui and the ‘Mihai David’ primary and middle school in Negrești, Vaslui county, organised the first TADAM workshop in Romania.
The workshop was entitled ‘The consequences of using artificial intelligence in media production and the role of media literacy’.
Around 26 people took part in the workshop: teachers and school counsellors. The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness of the use of artificial intelligence in different forms, the use of artificial intelligence models in education, media production and journalistic activities.
Individual and group exercises were carried out, educational resources and artificial intelligence applications were presented, and critical thinking was exercised on videos and deepfakes collected on social platforms.
Ethics, dangers, the need for media education, self-regulation and regulation were discussed.
At the end of the workshop, participants presented their own conclusions, based on their personal experiences and the topics discussed during the workshop.
Here are some conclusions of the workshop:
Positive aspects:
• The use of AI in the teaching-learning-evaluation process can be a modern method;
• AI increases the efficiency of processing some tasks, streamlines time and ensures quick and easy access to information;
• AI can increase creativity, can be a tool of inspiration;
• AI processes a large volume of information in a short time;
• AI is characterized by flexibility/ adaptability/ transformation;
• The development of AI correlates with the dynamics of applications and access devices.
Challenges:
• Awareness of the use of AI in all fields and in everyday life;
• Need for learning, adaptation: development of digital skills, career flexibility;
• Reduces human interaction and empathy;
• AI deepens dependence on technology, automation and promotes misinformation;
• The need for media literacy: responsible use;
• The need for continuous education and clear rules of use;
• Human is replaced by a robot;
• Lack of information courses regarding AI;
• AI must be used with a filter; critical thinking must be trained;
• Danger + necessity = awareness;
• The need to verify information, awareness of information from several sources;
• Feelings of insecurity and risks of exposure to criminal activities.
Ethical and deontological implications:
• The use of AI encourages copying and discourages thinking;
• It limits the creativity and thinking of individuals;
• Increasing the risk of distorted information;
• The need to combat distortions and manipulations in the media;
• Lack of transparency of algorithms when filtering information from the media;
• The need for regulations: legal, moral and restrictive, GDPR.
• Ensuring impartiality, transparency and combating manipulations.
The organizers of the workshop were:
Liliana Bărbuță (NAC Romania), Daniela Luca (”Alexandra Nechita” Primary and Middle School in Vaslui) together with Mona Calciu (“Mihai David” Primary and Middle School in Negrești)
The Tadam consortium would like to thank them for coming on board and finding the opportunity to organise this workshop in Romania! It’s great added value for the Tadam project! Many thanks to them!