The 6th World Media Summit, which concluded on October 17 in Urumqi, China, brought together global media leaders to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism.
The application of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) was a central theme, with leaders debating both the opportunities and challenges AI presents to the industry.
A major highlight of the summit was the release of a report titled “Responsibilities and Missions of News Media in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” by Xinhua News Agency's National High-end Think Tank Research Group.
The report surveyed media organisations across 53 countries and revealed that 10.2 per cent of media outlets have fully integrated AI into their production processes, while 41 per cent are actively exploring its application.
The report identified three main areas where generative AI is being used or considered by media outlets: auxiliary editing (fact-checking, transcription, translation), content creation (generating summaries, charts, and digital anchors), and topic planning (drafting outlines for news coverage).
These tools aim to improve newsroom efficiency without replacing the human creativity essential to in-depth journalism.
Speaking at the summit, Yan Lingsi, Vice President of Reuters Asia Pacific, noted the excitement surrounding AI's ability to reduce repetitive tasks in newsrooms and enhance journalists' capabilities through new AI-driven tools.
This shift, Lingsi added, has the potential to redefine the future of journalism.
Yet, as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, concerns about job security in the industry have surfaced. Iqbal Sefer, Chairman of South Africa's Independent Media Group, addressed these concerns, likening AI's role in media to that of an architect.
AI can build the framework, but the rich details, depth, and human touch that define compelling journalism still require human intervention, he said.
Similarly, Suresh Nambas, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, emphasized that while AI can enhance creativity by providing new tools, it cannot replace the critical thinking and emotional intelligence that journalists bring to their work.
Beyond newsroom efficiency, the summit also tackled the ethical concerns surrounding AI, particularly the rise of misinformation and disinformation. Chang Qide, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development System in China, addressed the importance of combating the spread of false information, particularly as AI advances.
“This summit has created an opportunity for global media to enhance the credibility of information in dealing with false information, misinformation, and hate speech,” Chang said in a video message.
To mitigate the risks associated with AI in media, organisations such as Xinhua News Agency, Reuters, BBC, and NPR have introduced AI behavioural guidelines aimed at preserving authenticity.
In 2023, AFP joined forces with major European media organisations to call for clearer identification of AI-generated content, ensuring transparency and helping audiences distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated information.
Actively participating in the summit, Nahar Khan, executive editor of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), offered her perspective on how AI is reshaping digital newsrooms. UNB, South Asia’s first fully digitalised private wire service, has already integrated AI to boost the speed and accuracy of its news production.
“We’re moving into a future where AI and human intelligence can work together to build a more inclusive, efficient, and responsive media industry,” Khan said, emphasising the collaborative potential of AI.
She also highlighted the value of the summit as a platform for exchanging ideas and tackling shared challenges. “Events like the World Media Summit allow us to collaborate globally, sharing best practices and ensuring AI is used responsibly in journalism.”
Khan underscored the need for a human-centred approach to AI, stressing the importance of ethics and innovation. “As we embrace AI in media, it’s crucial that this transformation remains ethical and human-focused, aiming to enrich the global media landscape. By harnessing AI, we can create a world that is more informed, connected, and empowered.”
