‘AI is a key differentiator for all parts of the media value chain. It helps content creators be more creative, and editors be more productive. AI helps consumers find the content that matches their interests to have more personalised experiences.’
– Microsoft’s Media and Entertainment Industry Lead in the UK, Stuart Almond
IT is human nature to fear the unknown, and artificial intelligence (AI) is no exception.
For many, the mere mention of AI conjures visions of dystopian futures, where machines replace humans in every role imaginable — not just at work, but across all aspects of life.
It is an unsettling thought, but this fear often comes from misunderstanding.
AI, like so many innovations before it, is simply a tool.
This week, I attended a workshop titled “Artificial Intelligence: Empowering Journalists on Content and Newsroom Management,” led by trainer and consultant Cletus de Rozario.
The workshop, organised by the Malaysian Press Institute in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), provided valuable insights into how AI can support — not disrupt — the work of journalists.
It was an eye-opener that revealed the many ways AI can help us enhance our efficiency while still maintaining the human element that defines our craft.
AI has been around for years, quietly powering everyday tools like predictive text, navigation apps, and recommendation algorithms on platforms like Netflix or Spotify.
These applications demonstrate AI’s potential to simplify tasks and enhance user experiences, yet they rarely attract the same scepticism as AI in industries like journalism or healthcare.
Why? Perhaps because they’re less visible and feel less intrusive.
In its essence, AI is neither good nor bad.
Its impact depends entirely on how we use it.
Please think of how humans once feared electricity or the internet, only to eventually embrace them as transformative tools that redefined how we live and work.
Similarly, AI offers us the chance to streamline workflows, solve complex problems, and even enhance creativity — if we use it right.
However, let’s not ignore the concerns as they are valid.
Industries like journalism have felt the tremors of AI’s arrival.
It has sparked intense debates about job security, creativity, and what the future of storytelling might look like.
Can a machine truly grasp the depth of human emotion, the complexity of culture, or the subtleties of a community’s struggles? Can automation ever replace the human touch that breathes life into our stories?
These are fair questions, and they reflect deeper concerns about the dehumanisation of our world.
There’s a pervasive fear that relying too heavily on AI could result in a loss of authenticity — a detachment from the very human connections that make storytelling, art, and communication so meaningful.
But instead of fearing AI, perhaps we should focus on adapting to it.
Like any tool, AI is most effective when wielded wisely, with ethics and responsibility at its core.
Rather than viewing AI as a competitor, we should see it as a collaborator — one that can take over repetitive, time-consuming tasks and allow humans to focus on the things machines can’t do: empathize, create, and innovate.
In journalism, AI can assist in mundane but essential tasks, such as data collection, fact-checking, and even transcribing interviews.
These often consume valuable time and resources, leaving journalists stretched thin.
By automating these tasks, AI can free up time for journalists to focus on what matters most — connecting with people, uncovering truths and telling stories that inspire action.
However, as helpful as AI can be, it is not without its limitations.
Machines lack the intuition and lived experience that shape a journalist’s narrative.
They cannot understand the depth of a community’s struggles or convey the raw emotions of a personal story.
The heart of journalism lies in empathy and human connection, which no algorithm can replicate.
This principle of balance applies across all fields.
For instance, in healthcare, AI can assist doctors in diagnosing diseases or analysing medical images but it cannot replace the compassion and reassurance of a human physician.
In education, AI can personalise learning experiences but it cannot replace the mentorship and inspiration of a great teacher.
Of course, embracing this partnership requires addressing the fear of the unknown.
Education and open conversations are critical.
AI must be made accessible and understandable, with ethical guidelines to ensure it’s used responsibly.
Transparency is key — people need to know how AI works, what it can and cannot do and how decisions involving AI are made.
Fear often accompanies change, and that’s okay.
It is only human nature to question what we don’t fully understand.
But history has taught us that curiosity and collaboration lead to growth while resistance only holds us back.
The workshop I attended reminded me that AI isn’t here to replace us — it’s here to enhance what we’re capable of.
It’s a chance to rethink how we work, communicate, and solve problems.
By embracing the possibilities and confronting the challenges head-on, we can ensure the human spirit remains at the heart of every advancement.
So, as we step into this uncharted territory, let us remember this: the unknown isn’t something to fear—it’s something to explore.
After all, it’s through exploration that we uncover new opportunities and write the next chapter of our shared journey.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
