As AI shapes stories, UAE shapes the rules
AI conversations are dominating boardroom discussions and feature regularly at our roundtables and panels. Many are already using it efficiently to summarise scripts, log footage, translate interviews or suggest graphics. But as AI moves into the mainstream, the question is where to draw the line.
This month, the UAE took a decisive step, issuing the world's first standard requiring publishers and content creators to disclose the use of AI across all stages of content creation. It is not a restriction. Rather, it is a call for transparency and an acknowledgement of the role AI now plays in our everyday lives. The message is clear: AI is here to stay, but accountability must come with it. The move comes as the UAE also becomes the first country to enlist AI to draft its own laws and update legislation. It signals a future where machines do not just support decision-making but actively help shape the systems that govern us.
In this context, our cover story on Asharq News takes on deeper significance. Its AI Taskforce is building a model for how media organisations can deploy AI responsibly, with editorial oversight, human validation and governance built in at every stage. But not every broadcaster is on the same page. At a roundtable we hosted with Ross Video recently, attended by high-profile industry professionals, views on AI ranged from cautious optimism to concern. While some saw AI as a productivity tool or creative partner, others worried about the erosion of authenticity and the unchecked scale of automation.
This divergence points to a larger truth. It is not about whether we use AI, but how. The more we delegate to machines, the greater our responsibility to consistently uphold editorial integrity, respect cultural context and maintain public trust.
We're working on a feature exploring how media houses across the Arab world are engaging with AI, if they are. Share your concerns, challenges and triumphs with us at vijaya.cherian@cpipromedia.com.
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