PESHAWAR: Media experts at a forum held recently in Singapore emphasised the importance of journalists gaining a thorough understanding of artificial intelligence, highlighting that it was crucial for them to learn how to responsibly integrate AI into their journalistic practices.

They were speaking at AJF Connect 2024 and AJF Editors Forum held in Singapore from August 22 to 24. The event was organised by the Temasek Foundation and the Institute of Policy Studies. About 143 journalists and editors from across Asia gathered for the event.

Under the title “Artificial intelligence and its impacts on journalists”, the experts stressed that journalists should learn how to use AI in their practices to make their work more creative and dynamic.

Professor Charlie Beckett, director of Polis and the LSE Journalism and AI Project at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said that AI must be used for positive change, as it had made things easier for everyone.

“To effectively leverage AI, it’s essential to understand the technology thoroughly. While AI itself does not make mistakes, errors can occur due to human input or oversight.

Therefore, it’s important to recognise that these mistakes are human, not AI errors,“ he said, adding that today, innovative individuals were creatively using AI to condense lengthy news formats into shorter, more digestible pieces.

He advised using AI responsibly, as it was a conscious choice that shaped the future of journalism. “Despite the risks associated with AI, it is essential for good journalists to utilise it in a responsible manner,” he added.

August Nguyen, news partnership manager for Southeast Asia at Google, stated that Google was heavily investing in products across various sectors, including news.

She emphasised that AI was being developed to enhance creativity and productivity, solve complex problems and deepen knowledge and understanding.

According to her, AI is creating new opportunities that could significantly improve the lives of billions of people. While misinformation remains a challenge, AI has the capability to detect it and assist in fact-check.

Though generative AI cannot replace humans, it serves as a valuable complement to human efforts.

Jeremy Au Yong, associate editor at The Straits Times, shared insights from three years of AI adoption in newsrooms. He emphasised that AI should not be used in news reporting without careful consideration; instead, there should be clear guidelines for its adaptation.

He stressed the importance of focusing on well-defined use cases, adhering to internal AI and ethical guidelines, and being aware of AI’s potential impact on public trust.

He also advised against pursuing vanity projects, forcing AI technology on users or overestimating the public’s readiness for AI-generated content in news reporting.

Earlier in his welcome address, Alan John, director of Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF), expressed his amazement that 143 out of 220 journalists from various Asian countries participated in the event, marking their first reunion in seven years.

He highlighted that AJF was a platform run by Asians for Asian journalism, where participants can learn about Singapore and build an effective network. He noted that at AJF journalists not only socialised but also learned and shared their experiences, fostering harmony, friendship, and peace.

Amrin Amin, head of corporate development at Temasek Foundation, remarked that being a journalist was challenging, especially in a rapidly evolving news landscape with many twists and turns.

He emphasised that Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) was instrumental in building bridges between journalism and the public, fostering people-to-people connections.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2024