The rapid expansion of generative artificial intelligence tools for textual production, such as ChatGPT, has been accompanied by a proliferation of similar tools used for creating images, audiovisual content, and motion graphics. These tools, valued for their creativity, are increasingly employed in the fields of art, education, and entertainment to enhance content creation, particularly on social media, while also reducing production costs. However, their use is not without controversy, as they raise significant ethical concerns, including the potential for generating fake news and disinformation. This paper presents an analysis of higher education students’ perspectives on the use of generative artificial intelligence tools within the context of a university course. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 10 fourth-year students from the Department of Communication and Digital Media at the University of Western Macedonia. The study aims to provide an initial understanding of the impact of these tools in both education and communication, focusing on students who are future professionals in the communication field. The interviews explored the potential benefits of these technologies, which were valued highly, and the challenges presented such as privacy and credibility issues, which concerned the participants. Misinformation and deception were cited as the most significant risks, while these tools were evaluated positively in terms of communicative purposes, but still maintaining skepticism.

The aim of this paper is to present an approach that utilizes several mixed reality technologies for touristic promotion and education. More specifically, mixed reality applications and games were created to promote the mountainous areas of Western Macedonia, Greece, and to educate visitors on various aspects of these destinations, such as their history and cultural heritage. Location-based augmented reality (AR) games were designed to guide the users to visit and explore the destinations, get informed, gather points and prizes by accomplishing specific tasks, and meet virtual characters that tell stories. Furthermore, an immersive lab was established to inform visitors about the region of interest through mixed reality content designed for entertainment and education. The lab visitors can experience content and games through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) wearable devices. Likewise, 3D content can be viewed through special stereoscopic monitors. An evaluation of the lab experience was performed with a sample of 82 visitors who positively evaluated features of the immersive experience such as the level of satisfaction, immersion, educational usefulness, the intention to visit the mountainous destinations of Western Macedonia, intention to revisit the lab, and intention to recommend the experience to others.

In recent years, the growing number of Online Travel Review (OTR) platforms and advances in social media and search engine technologies have led to a new way of accessing information for tourists, placing projected Tourist Destination Image (TDI) and electronic Word of Mouth (eWoM) at the heart of travel decision-making. This research introduces a big data-driven approach to analyzing and measuring the perceived and conveyed TDI in OTRs concerning the reflected perceptive, spatial, and affective dimensions of search results. To test this approach, a massive metadata analysis of search engine was conducted on approximately 2700 reviews from TripAdvisor users for the category “Attractions” of the city of Kastoria, Greece. Using artificial intelligence, an analysis of the photos accompanying user comments on TripAdvisor was performed. Based on the results, we created five themes for the image narratives, depending on the focus of interest (monument, activity, self, other person, and unknown) in which the content was categorized. The results obtained allow us to extract information that can be used in business intelligence applications.

In contemporary society, where visual content dominates various platforms and media, understanding how Generation Z interprets color is essential for designing effective communication strategies, as this demographic comprises a significant portion of consumers and users in the digital landscape. This research explores the perceptions of color characteristics among Generation Z individuals, focusing specifically on Greek higher education students. The primary aim is to investigate Generation Z’s perception and association of color concepts, especially within digital interfaces, while also discerning potential variations based on gender and platform (desktop vs. mobile). Employing an experimental approach, Generation Z students were tasked with associating concepts with digitally presented colors, enabling a systematic exploration of their color perception. Data collection involves meticulous observation and analysis of participants’ responses to uncover insights into their color preferences and concept associations. The findings reveal intriguing insights into Generation Z’s color preferences and concept associations, highlighting differences from previous generations. In addition, slight variations between genders and more significant differences between desktop and mobile interface data were observed, emphasizing the platform’s influence on color perception. Understanding this demographic’s distinct color preferences allows designers to tailor visual communication strategies effectively. Moreover, considering platform-specific design elements in digital interfaces is vital for optimizing user experience and engagement. This study advances understanding of Generation Z’s nuanced color perceptions, offering insights for designers seeking to resonate with Generation Z audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape and providing valuable implications for graphic design pedagogy and practice.

In the age of the internet and technological advancements, there are countless opportunities to generate revenue and grow professionally. This paper examines the world of online gaming and the rise of professional streamers, outlining their profiles and the various platforms available to them. To collect data for this research, a survey was conducted among 30 Greek streamers who answered an anonymous online questionnaire about their personal experiences with streaming. The survey results showed that age, gender, and budget are not limiting factors for becoming a professional streamer, and for many, streaming is their primary source of income. Furthermore, the evolution of online content creation has led to new job opportunities, such as video editing, moderating, and social media management, and to the formation of a team around the streamer. Twitch and Trovo seem to be the most popular platforms currently in Greece, and sponsorships are a growing trend in the digital space, offering creators financial support and motivating streamers to pursue streaming as a profession. However, revenue can also be generated through subscriptions and donations from viewers. To engage a larger audience, most streamers adjust their content to follow current trends and cater to their audience’s preferences.