Kuching: Malaysian media practitioners must be bold in adopting various artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create high-quality news content. CATS FM broadcast journalist Irfan Nasrullah Jafli emphasized the importance of integrating AI into journalistic practices to keep pace with technological advancements. He highlighted that AI can significantly reduce workload and enhance efficiency, although it should not replace the essential human element in news writing.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the comments were made during the AI technology training programme titled ‘AI For Journalism: Transcription and Smart Tools’, organized by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama). The two-day event, held at the Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), brought together 30 media practitioners from various agencies across Sarawak.

Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) administrative officer Wilma Stanley Geramong stressed the importance of ethics in AI usage to prevent the spread of false information or manipulation of news. She urged journalists to use AI responsibly by ensuring thorough fact-checking and maintaining the integrity of their reporting.

AWANI Borneo journalist Fadilah Sulaiman echoed these sentiments, advocating for the use of AI as a complementary tool to enhance report quality and credibility. She acknowledged the challenges of ensuring information accuracy and ethical use, advising journalists to learn the basics of AI and leverage it to support, not replace, their reporting efforts.

The Bernama Centre of Excellence coordinates AI training courses for the media under the National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2025 allocation, with a similar program scheduled in Sabah on May 6 and 7.