Media firms should cover journalists' AI tool costs, says S'wak deputy minister

Borneo Post

12 hours ago

Abdullah delivers his closing remarks at the event. – Photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING (July 3): Media companies may need to take responsibility for the cost of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and digital applications used by journalists in their daily work, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here today, the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department acknowledged the growing financial burden media professionals face in keeping up with evolving digital requirements.
'Some reporters and journalists told me, 'I have to download this app – it costs me RM90 a month. Then I need another that costs RM300 per annum. I have to subscribe to this and that, and the company isn't covering it',' he said.
'Yes, these tools do help in their work, but employers must also understand that these extra expenses are necessary to enable digital assistance, whether AI or any otherwise.'
He stressed that as technology advances rapidly, media companies must take into account these 'hidden costs' when discussing digital transformation.
'This is another consideration we must look at. Probably in future seminars, we can get researchers who have explored the actual costs involved, for both individuals and the government, in embracing digital advancements,' he said.
Abdullah, who was SMeC 2025 organising chairman, noted that while AI is now part of everyday discourse, it must be approached with balance.
'We don't want to be left out, but neither should we be too quick in adopting new technologies. I used the term 'wholesale adoption' earlier, as one of the speakers mentioned, sometimes we shouldn't rush in adopting the latest advancements, especially when the fundamentals haven't been fully addressed.'
He emphasised that the narrative of digital policy varies by country and government appetite.
'For example, the US is driven by commercial interests, the EU by standards, and China by security. In Sarawak, we must shape our own approach, one that aligns with our specific needs.'
Abdullah also underscored the need for inclusive infrastructure, noting that many rural areas in Sarawak still lack basic connectivity.
'You don't have to talk about AI to me, my area doesn't even have internet. The tower is there, but it's not functioning,' he said, citing complaints from rural constituents.
He acknowledged that while the Sarawak government has invested billions in digital infrastructure, more efforts are needed to close the digital divide.
He also advocated for early education in AI, including governance and ethics, to prepare the next generation for a digital future.
'A teacher told me yesterday to pass the message to the Premier, that maybe we should start teaching children as early as primary school about the good and bad that AI can bring,' he shared.
Abdullah also reminded that while AI may evolve to simulate intelligence and emotion, it cannot replicate the human qualities that matter most, such as empathy, feeling, and cultural understanding.
'In Malaysia, and especially in Sarawak, with our diversity in race, religion, and language, this is something AI will never understand,' he said.
The SMeC 2025, which brought together journalists, academics, policymakers, and tech experts, focused on the intersection of innovation, governance, and the media industry's digital future. Abdullah Saidol AI tools cost journalists media company