News Execs Tackle AI Ethics, Digital Revenue Shifts at Orlando Mega-Conference 2025

Facing down the dual challenges of artificial intelligence integration and the persistent puzzle of digital revenue, a focused group of news media executives, publishers, digital directors, and content strategists convened in Orlando this week. The News Industry Mega-Conference, which ran from April 14-16 and concluded Wednesday, became a crucible for debate and strategy-sharing among industry leaders determined to future-proof their operations.

Navigating the AI Frontier

Artificial intelligence wasn’t just a buzzword across the sessions at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek; it was a central, practical concern, particularly within the conference’s “Building Trust” track. Discussions probed how AI could enhance newsroom efficiency and audience engagement but stressed the paramount importance of ethical guardrails.

A key session, indicative of this focus, featured Kevin Rehberg from the Alliance for Audited Media and Jessica Davis, VP of News Automation & AI Product at Gannett. They delved into implementing specific ethical AI frameworks – referred to as the “Eight Pillars” – covering vital areas like transparency with readers, active bias mitigation, and ensuring human oversight to maintain reader trust as AI tools become more embedded in newsrooms.

The Digital Revenue Dilemma

Under the “Building Revenue” banner, much of the conversation revolved around the urgent need to find sustainable income beyond shrinking traditional print advertising dollars. Dedicated breakout sessions and practical case studies allowed attendees to explore diverse approaches. These ranged from optimizing digital subscription funnels and experimenting with pricing tiers to better leveraging native advertising and uncovering entirely new income sources.

Analysis shared during the conference, echoing findings noted by industry watchers like FT Strategies, underscored the tough economics many publishers face: replacing the substantial revenue from one loyal print reader often requires converting and retaining several digital subscribers. This stark reality spurred intense focus on strategies designed to increase the lifetime value of online audiences, primarily through deeper engagement via targeted newsletters, dedicated mobile apps, and valuable exclusive content.

Recommitting to Local Connections

The “Building Audience” track served as a reminder of the undiminished importance of local news, even as the ways people consume it continue to fragment. Greg Watson reportedly kicked off related discussions by sharing fresh insights from a recent America’s Newspapers national study.

His presentation confirmed strong audience reliance on local news outlets for essential civic information and fostering a sense of community connection, despite the clear shift towards digital and social media consumption, particularly among younger demographics.

Strategies dissected in this track centered on effectively meeting these audiences on their preferred online platforms with relevant, tailored content and using reader data intelligently – always while respecting privacy mandates – to strengthen those vital community ties.

Looking Ahead

Attendees, primarily decision-makers from news organizations across the spectrum, departed the three-day conference not with easy answers or magic bullets, but with a wealth of actionable strategies and a reinforced sense of the collaborative effort required.

The event emphasized that thriving in the current media environment demands that industry leaders embrace technological change like AI responsibly, experiment relentlessly and strategically with revenue models, and invest deeply in the unique, trust-building value proposition that strong local journalism offers.