【Article by Master’s Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology】
On June 12, the Master's Program in Global Communication and Innovation Technology at National Chengchi University hosted an enlightening lecture, featuring George Chen, Managing Director of American Asia Group and Co-Chair of Digital Practice. The lecture, titled "From Telegraph to Artificial Intelligence: The Evolutionary Impact of New Technology on Information Acquisition and Dissemination," explored the transformation of information reception due to new technologies

With over a decade of media experience and having held key positions in several international media and research organizations, George began by discussing the importance of news dissemination from a historical perspective. He traced the contributions of Julius Baron Von Reuter, the founder of Reuter’s news service, and highlighted the rise of broadcast media post-World War II. He explained how political figures like Churchill utilized media to convey political ideologies and revealed how Steve Jobs’s creation of the iPhone revolutionized how people receive information.

During the lecture, George emphasized the acceleration of digital trends, noting that mobile phones have become central tools in modern information flow, spurring advances in photography and search engine technology. He provided examples such as the rise of companies like NVIDIA, illustrating how they have made the impossible possible, and discussed how VR technology redefines future communication methods.

George also explored the historical progression of AI technology, from Alan Turing to the earliest AI products like robotic vacuum cleaners and their limitations. He referenced Bill Gates’s famous saying, "Content is king," to analyze AI’s profound impact on the media industry and stressed the importance of verifying authenticity.

In the Q&A session, George urged students and the public to enhance media literacy to understand the dual impact of technology on privacy and convenience. He pointed out that new technology continuously presents new challenges, balancing convenience and creativity a future hurdle. He encouraged young individuals to focus on how new tech influences themselves and emphasized the importance of data control, especially at the national level.

George’s lecture inspired the audience but also provided profound insights into the future development of digital media, particularly in the rapidly changing global information landscape. The talk sparked extensive discussion, filling students with anticipation and reflection on the future of digital technology.