VC’s Open Lecture by Claudius Senst

Dear colleagues and students

One of the things that serves as a source of pride for the University of Cape Town (UCT) is our sense of internationalisation, whether this is through our distinguished research partnerships, or our diverse staff and student body. This includes for example students from other universities who come to UCT as part of the Semester Study Abroad (SSA) programme. It is always a delight when we produce the calibre of alumni and former students who go on to become global change-makers, pioneers and leaders in their professional fields.

I am therefore excited to extend a warm invitation to the next Vice-Chancellor’s Open Lecture, which will be delivered by one such former student who has gone on to become a leading figure in global media, Mr Claudius Senst.

Currently the chief executive officer of BILD – one of Europe’s most influential and widest read newspapers – Mr Senst has recently been appointed chief operating officer of a German multinational mass and online media company, Axel Springer SE, where he will oversee the group’s strategic focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and future growth projects.

Mr Senst will deliver a lecture titled “The Interplay between Media, AI, Democracy and Governance” on Thursday, 17 October 2024 in the New Lecture Theatre on upper campus at 18:00 SAST.

Focusing on the role of journalism in general, and in particular the role of BILD, Mr Senst will discuss how journalism has evolved over the years and why it is especially crucial at the moment. He will draw from his wealth of experience to take the audience through the evolution of the fourth estate in an increasingly digital world, touching on the connection between the media, democracy, governance and AI, offering insight into how this shapes public discourse today.

Reflecting on his new role, he will also examine the ways AI is revolutionising the media landscape, both in Europe and globally. The lecture will address issues that resonate not only globally but also with the challenges we face in South Africa. Recently, our own journalism sector has confronted issues of trust, integrity and the impact of technology on public discourse.

This lecture promises to offer valuable insights, and is a unique opportunity for anyone in the UCT community to hear from a global leader at the forefront of these global conversations.

Mr Senst’s educational journey reflects his commitment to both academic excellence and global leadership. He completed his Bachelor of Administration and Management at the University of St Gallen in Switzerland and as part of that he was an SSA student in the UCT Faculty of Humanities in 2008, a formative year that connected him to South Africa and its vibrant academic community. He went on to complete his MBA from WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany in 2013. These diverse academic experiences have equipped him with a unique global business and media perspective, which he has applied in his prominent roles within Axel Springer SE and BILD.

I encourage you to join us for this enlightening and impactful event. Let’s take this opportunity to deepen our understanding of the media’s role in shaping democracy and governance; and the impact of AI.

Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
Time: 18:00 SAST
Venue: New Lecture Theatre, Upper Campus

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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