AI tech should empower, not replace journalists, say Abang Johari
KUCHING: Artificial intelligence (AI) may enhance the way media practitioners work but should never replace the human core of journalism, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said human judgment, moral courage, integrity and empathy were the essence of journalism.
"These are the values that no machine can replicate. In truth, technology is at its most powerful when it works hand-in-hand with humanity, not when it replaces it.
"That is why the future of journalism is not artificial but augmented. It is about enabling journalists to do more, reach more and inform more, with greater accuracy and depth," he said when opening the Sarawak Media Conference here on Wednesday (July 2).
Held in conjunction with the state-level National Journalists' Day (Hawana) celebration, the two-day conference is themed "Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future of Media and Journalism".
Abang Johari said the theme reflected the rapid evolution of the media landscape and the need for all stakeholders to adapt and respond constructively.
He said AI was already being used to generate news reports, translate speeches in real time, verify facts at lightning speed and detect disinformation.
In this respect, Abang Johari called on journalists to uphold ethics while adopting AI in their work.
He said journalism was not just the reporting of events but the pursuit of truth.
"Today's journalists are not only storytellers, they are guardians of public trust.
"And that trust must be defended with every decision we make, including the use of technology," he added.
Abang Johari also said Sarawak was building an ecosystem for AI and innovation to support the state's development towards high-income status by 2030.
He said this includes setting up the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) as a centre of excellence for AI research, policy development and human capital training.
"Through SAIC, we are not only developing local expertise in AI but ensuring that the deployment of these technologies is governed by a strong ethical framework that protects public trust and democratic values," he said.
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