Istanbul, 4 September 2024 (MIA) - The role of artificial intelligence in the creation of media perspectives, the potentials and opportunities created by AI, as well as the proper way to utilize it in media in order to preserve the fundamental principles of journalism were some of the topics discussed at the “Navigating AI and Media” conference held Wednesday in Istanbul as part of events surrounding the 32nd General Assembly of the Association of Balkan News Agencies-Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE), which MIA is a part of.

The Secretary General of ABNA-SE and head of Bulgarian news agency BTA, Kiril Valchev, stressed that AI represents an advantage that could help in various areas of life, as well as in journalism, but, he said, it cannot replace the journalists on the ground. 

Valchev said new technologies can assist journalism, for example by identifying fake news in an ocean of information, or through the exchange of news in various ways. He noted that the members of ABNA-SE will assess an opportunity for cooperation through the creation of software for the exchange of articles and establishing connections between articles with similar content.

Valchev added that AI could also efficiently be used to create more accessible databases of media products, and to improve the presentation of media products on social media in order to reach more people, especially the younger population. 

The opening of the conference was also addressed by the current President of ABNA-SE, the Director General of Anadolu Agency, Serdar Karagöz, who said the introduction of AI in media poses a real intellectual challenge, since it can affect not only the creation of media products, but also the ethical standards of journalism – objectivity, impartiality and accuracy of information. 

Karagöz stressed that technological developments bring numerous benefits, but he said attention should be paid to the protection of the basic principles of journalism, which mustn’t be brought into question when using new technologies. 

Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır addressed the conference as well, noting that new technologies should be used to ensure greater media freedom in the Balkans and in the promotion of democratic culture. 

“AI technologies transform production, professions, everyday life, the structure of organizations and companies,” he said, stressing that it also increases the efficiency of the work of media outlets. 

The Minister warned about increasingly frequent disinformation and the need to protect objective and impartial journalism, which, he said, has never been more crucial but also more difficult. 

He stressed that AI is above all being developed by the private sector, which is focused on profits and is not responsible towards the public sphere. The Minister highlighted the need for a global unified and transparent approach to dealing with threats that can be caused by the inappropriate use of AI, adding that Turkey launched a national strategy in 2021 with that goal. 

The 32nd General Assembly of ABNA-SE will be held Thursday in Istanbul. Twelve news agencies make up the Association – MIA, ATA, Anadolu Agency, FENA, BTA, HINA, CNA, ANA-MPA, Kosova Press, MINA, Agerpres and ANSA. 

Photo: MIA