In May, New York hosted the World Congress of News Media, the largest media conference organized by the International News Media Association (INMA). Geneea’s Jirka Hana was there to witness the latest developments firsthand.
More than 600 participants from 43 countries came together to explore six key themes shaping the future of news media:
- The future of media in the Trump era
- Building engaged audiences through trusted brands rather than SEO
- Adapting to new business models
- The rise of generative AI
- Data-driven strategies
- The “buy-over-build” mindset
One clear message emerged: Media executives recognize the need to integrate generative AI into editorial workflows—and most are optimistic about it. According to an INMA survey of C-level leaders, over 70% view AI as an opportunity to enhance operational effectiveness.
Other findings showed that:
- Over 50% plan to invest in generative AI in 2025
- 30% will prioritize investment in data collection and analytics
However, instead of building in-house tools, media companies are increasingly turning to ready-made external solutions.
“We’re buying now, this [rapid technological growth] is just moving too fast for us. We’d love to think long-term, but the fact is—on the product basis—it’s just too uncertain. And so we have to think short term,” said INMA Executive Director Earl J. Wilkinson.
Among the highlights of the event was legendary journalist Bob Woodward, known for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal. His keynote served as a powerful reminder that even in an age of AI and automation, the core of journalism remains human: rigorous reporting, deep sourcing, and editorial integrity. He challenged newsrooms to raise their standards—suggesting that instead of interviewing two sources, journalists should aim to speak with sixteen. It’s a demanding approach, but one that promises richer stories, deeper context, and greater truth.
As #INMA2025 made clear, the future of news media will be shaped by both technological innovation and a renewed commitment to quality journalism. At Geneea, we’re proud to support newsrooms navigating these changes. As a long-time partner to the media industry, we provide innovative language technologies that help them thrive in today’s fast-moving landscape.
We look forward to meeting you again at the World Congress of News Media 2026 in Berlin!
More photos from the conference:
