An ASEAN-Korea media forum in Seoul.

KPF Journalism Conference 2024: Embracing AI for transformative journalism

Seoul, South Korea – The 2024 Korea Press Foundation (KPF) Journalism Conference, held here last week, convened media professionals and tech experts to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism.
The event underscored the importance of international collaboration in leveraging AI tools, addressing ethical concerns, and advancing professional training for journalists.
The conference began with the ASEAN-Korea Journalism Forum, a pre-session discussion involving participants from seven ASEAN nations, including Laos.
During this forum, representatives shared their experiences with the impacts of digital technology on news production, distribution, and consumption in their respective countries. They also included ethical challenges, the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and the rise of deepfake content.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the future of AI utilisation in newsrooms.
While the adoption of AI tools is steadily increasing across the participants’ countries, they noted challenges such as language barriers and the pressing need for specialised training to maximise the potential of these technologies.
A representative of the Vientiane Times shared their newsroom’s experience with incorporating AI tools like ChatGPT. “AI has helped us work faster and more effectively, but the journey has not been without challenges, particularly in training journalists to use these tools responsibly,” they noted.
They emphasised that ethical considerations are vital to ensuring AI enhances journalistic integrity rather than undermining it.
In subsequent sessions, experts from media organisations, tech companies and universities shared insights into the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.
A notable speaker, Korean writer Mr Song Il Young said “Our job is to eliminate jobs by using AI as an assistant. At the same time, journalists must focus on creating content that AI cannot, such as interviews and fact-based reporting.”
During a special session, John Ridding, CEO of the Financial Times Group, advised “Don’t use AI to write articles; use it as a tool to support the process.”
“The more AI creates content, the worse journalism will become. Journalism is a craft, not a programme. A bot will never form the same connections or relationships as experienced reporters and critics.”
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining direct engagement with audiences, asserting that ethical journalism and human connection are critical in the age of AI.
“We can and must embrace this new phase of technology. We can’t hold back the wave, but we can ride it to our advantage.”

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 22, 2024)