Special Issue Call for Papers

'The Human and the Machine: AI and the Changing World'

If we are to believe the entertainment media, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is destined to go
rogue and take over the world, destroying humanity as we know it. In reality, the growing
accessibility of AI is seeing its use normalised and it is becoming a useful tool to improve and
alter society. Artificial Intelligence has been an area of research since the 1950s and hinges
on machine functions that learn from humans or independently. Despite its long history,
contemporary advancements in AI systems, like Midjourney and Chat GPT, are fuelling fresh
discussions about its pervasive impact on diverse industries, from healthcare and
communication to engineering and art.

Existing research has documented AI's capabilities in various sectors. It can synthesise big
data, enhance creativity, streamline production, and personalise content. For instance,
platforms like Chat GPT have proven effective in educational settings, while DALL-E 2 has
expedited the creation and deployment of advertising materials. In the business domain,
data analysts leverage AI for consumer behaviour analysis, including product reviews and
purchase intentions. For public relations professionals, AI automates routine tasks like
media list creation and meeting scheduling, thereby enhancing efficiency. Overall, AI has
wide applicability across industries with obvious advantages. 
      
However, AI is not without its challenges. It has been critiqued for potentially causing job
losses, breaching privacy, infringing copyrights, and perpetuating false information. There's
a growing concern that as machines take on roles in cultural production, even when working
alongside their human counterparts, issues around human agency and rights come into
focus, particularly when AI systems are perceived as biased or lacking a nuanced
understanding of global contexts. For instance, in journalism, concerns have been raised
that using AI will compromise norms and values, while in advertising and public relations,
the move to using virtual influencers has posed issues of inauthenticity. Such ethical
concerns continue to be raised around professional practice and the use of AI, and
therefore, pose challenges to the willingness of people to embrace AI. 
   
While the public's response to AI has often been tepid due to its complexities and
uncertainties, its undeniable influence on language and social relationships underscores its
relevance in communication research. It is against this backdrop we extend an invitation for
contributions to this special issue that considers the relationship between artificial
intelligence and communication. The focus is on how AI is influencing the communication
and media industries, ranging from public relations and journalism to marketing and
entertainment media (e.g. screen production, artistic practice, podcasting). We aim to
address questions such as, how is AI impacting the production and consumption of media
content, how might AI shape communication and culture, is AI displacing human resources,
and what impact will AI have on authentic human interaction.   
 
Topics in the special issue may include (but are not limited to):

• AI and authentic human interaction 

• AI and journalism/public relations/advertising/marketing (or other communication
industry)  
• AI and personalization of media content 
• Chatbots and virtual humans 
• AI and cultural development 
• AI, diversity, and inclusion  
• AI media production and/or consumption practices

Publication Timeline
15 January 2024, abstracts due (200-300 words)
22 April 2024, full manuscripts due (6-7000 words)
Publication: October 2024

Please send submissions and correspondence to: co-editors Matthew Guinibert
(matt.guinibert@aut.ac.nz) and Angelique Nairn (angelique.nairn@aut.ac.nz) with the
subject ‘ICC-X’. Please visit Intellect’s website www.intellectbooks.com/journal-editors-and-
contributors to follow its house referencing guidelines.

About the co-editors:

Dr Matthew Guinibert is a senior lecturer and Head of Department (Brand, Digital
Communication, and Public Relations) in in the School of Communication Studies (SCS). His
expertise in digital media spans visual communication, UI/UX design, technology-enhanced
learning, and the strategies that underpin the use of digital media.

Dr Angelique Nairn is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication Studies (SCS).
She is also the Associate Head of School for Research. Angelique has been involved in a
myriad of research projects that have hinged on organisational communication, identity
construction, rhetoric, and/or the creative industries. She teaches courses in the public
relations department, specialising in digital public relations and persuasion.