Andrea Grahl, Alex Krause and Bartje Krüger at re:publica 2025

ZeMKI members Andrea Grahl and Alex Krause, together with Bartje Krüger from the University of Leipzig, will hold a workshop on “molo – eine Plattform als neues soziales Medium für Stadt und Region” at re:publica 2025 on May 26 at 3 pm.

In the workshop, the concept of molo will be presented – a non-commercial, AI-supported platform for local information and events that offers new access to local journalism and urban society. The aim is to discuss with media professionals how molo as a social medium can enable diverse, inclusive and automated communication in and about the city.

Click here for more information on the workshop.

Abstract:
Local information is finding less and less space in traditional media, X and Instagram have barely been able to close the gap and are now threatening to become generators of hate speech. This is where molo comes in:

At molo, the focus is on what is happening around you and what interests you. The AI-based platform offers everyone the opportunity to bundle information and events from your city (or society) in one place. This non-commercial social medium provides people of all ages with a comprehensive overview of what’s happening in the area: from the discussion about the construction project in the city center to the hands-on activity at the gardening association around the corner to the opening of the cooperative bakery on the other side of town. This opens up a diverse view of one’s own city and region, which also takes into account the smaller players who shape local life and keep it going. At the same time, molo offers a wide range of opportunities for new local journalism and supports this with automation.

In a workshop, we want to present the concept of molo and discuss it with you. molo can communicate in and with the city in a completely different way as a new platform and social medium – and you can be part of it as a media professional.