Overview

Department of Mass Communication, Sharda School of Media, Film & Entertainment (SSMFE), Sharda University is organizing one day online International Conference on AI, Media & Democracy: Platform Governance, Communication and Digital Labor in India to be held on 12th June, 2026.This conference aims to bring together renowned people from the media industry to foster dialogue and share insights with our faculties and students.

Timings: 10 am onwards

Mode Online

Objectives of Event

The objective of this conference is

  • To examine the impact of artificial intelligence on media practices and communication systems in India.
  • To explore the relationship between media, digital platforms, and democratic processes in contemporary society.
  • To critically analyse platform governance, algorithmic influence, and information flows in the digital ecosystem.
  • To investigate the changing nature of media work, with a focus on gig economy and digital labour.
  • To provide an interdisciplinary platform for scholars, researchers, students and practitioners to share research and foster academic collaboration.

Conference Chair:

  • Prof. (Dr.) Ritu S. Sood, Dean SSMFE, Sharda University

Convener Details

  • Prof. (Dr.) Dhruv Sabharwal,  Professor & HoD, SSMFE, Sharda University 
  • Prof. (Dr.) Mehak Jonjua Professor, SSMFE, Sharda University

Co-cnvener details: 

  • Dr. Mukta Martolia, Associate Professor, SSMFE, Sharda University 
  • Dr. Aaqib Anwaar Butt, Assistant Professor, SSMFE, Sharda University

Organising Secretary:

  • Dr. Sonali Srivastava, Assistant Professor, SSMFE, Sharda University

Co-ordinators:

  • Dr. Rajashree Sharma Adhikary, Associate Professor, SSMFE, Sharda University 
  • Dr. Shrinkhala Upadhyaya, Assistant Professor, SSMFE, Sharda University

Chief Guest Details:

  • Sh. Ajay K Gupta- ICSSR Former Director, Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR)
  • Prof. KG Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

Speaker Details:

  • Prof. Shikha Rai, Director, School of Journalism and New Media Studies, IGNOU
  • Charles Stewart Thomson, Balgowlah, New South Wales, Australia
  • Rania Lampou, Global Educator and STEM Instructor, Greece, Southeastern Europe
  • Dr. Ngozi Okepara , School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria
  • Dr. Nimish Kapoor, Science Communication Specialist and Scientist, BSIP, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
  • Dr. Shishir Kumar Singh, Department of Mass communication, Tezpur University, Assam, India
  • Mr. Qazi M Raghib, National Herald, Herald House, New Delhi, India