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Carolina Science Cafe | Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI?

Date: Tue, Oct 6, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Venue: Haw River Tap & Table, Carrboro

Price: Free

Category: Community

Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI? Theorizing Distributed Journalistic Authority Amid Newsfluencers, Algorithms, and Generative Systems Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI? addresses a critical development in the news media. In this talk, UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media faculty member, Deb Aikat, PhD, will discuss how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) reconfigures the epistemic boundaries of journalistic authority, credibility, and public verification in democratic discourse. Dr. Aikat will discuss how AI is reshaping press freedom at a time when public trust in media has sunk to 28%, according to Gallup’s 2025 survey. He studies the shifting information landscape in the U.S. and India — the world’s oldest and largest democracies — tracing how digital platforms empower people to publish, protest, and participate in civic life beyond traditional newsrooms. Carolina Science Cafe is a free program by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center that explores current science topics making headlines. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

Community · Carrboro

Carolina Science Cafe | Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI?

Arrive twenty minutes early to grab a table and order food before the talk.

When
Oct 6
Tue, Oct 6, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
Free
chapel hillfree

Carolina Science Cafe is a casual, public science discussion series, and this session features UNC professor Deb Aikat explaining how artificial intelligence and social media influencers are changing the way we get our news. The talk focuses on how we can find trustworthy information in a digital world where algorithms and generative tools can easily mimic real reporting. This event is best suited for parents and teenagers who are interested in technology, media, or current events. Admission is free, and you can purchase food and drinks directly from the venue during the talk. Haw River Tap & Table is located in downtown Carrboro, with public parking lots and street parking available nearby within walking distance. It is a smart, low-pressure outing for a Tuesday evening that gets older kids thinking critically about the media they consume on their phones every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend this event?
No, the discussion is completely free to attend, though you will need to pay for any food or drinks you order at the venue.
What age group is this discussion best for?
Because of the academic nature of the topic, this event is best suited for adults and teenagers rather than younger children.
Where should I park for the event?
You can use the free public parking lots in downtown Carrboro or look for street parking near Haw River Tap & Table.

Last updated

FREE

Oct 6

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Carolina Science Cafe | Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI? runs Tue, Oct 6, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

Getting There

Haw River Tap & Table is at 300 East Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510, Carrboro, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Haw River Tap & Table

What to Bring

Nothing but the kids — this one's free, with no tickets to buy.

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