Revolution or risk? How AI is redefining broadcasting and raising red flags
This is not fiction any more; generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is transforming the broadcasting industry and not without consequences.
Prof Nelishia Pillay, an AI expert at the University of Pretoria, says while the technology is opening exciting opportunities for content creation, it also raises serious ethical concerns.
"GenAI creates new content based on what it learns from online data," she said. "While it doesn't come up with truly original ideas – that creativity is still reserved for humans – it does help reshape existing ones."
Used widely, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has made life easier for broadcasters. Journalists can now create engaging visuals using just voice prompts, producers can create music or video clips in minutes and translate subtitles in different languages in just few clicks. Even converting text to speech using AI also helps broadcasters to do more with fewer resources.
However, with this convenience comes ethical concerns, especially around what is called "deepfakes". These are digitally forged images or videos that can be convincing, posing a threat to truth and trust in the media.
"A challenge that comes with GenAI is how to ensure the ethical use of these tools," she said. "Deepfakes can be used to produce fake news and harmful cybersecurity attacks on businesses."
Pillay also highlighted how tailoring content through AI can reinforce biases if left unchecked.
To address such risks, tools are emerging to detect GenAI misuse. According to the International New Media Association, AI has already shown success in detecting the unethical use of GenAI, with machine-learning being used to detect fake news.
Tools like Checkmate, a real-time fact checking system that flags claims in videos and checks them against reliable sources and Turnitin used in the academic world to detect student plagiarism are also evolving.
"Such tools need to be embedded in GenAI systems in the broadcasting industry to detect the unethical use of GenAI," said Pillay.
Beyond fake news, there are deeper ethical questions. Who owns content created by machines? Is it fair to use information from social media platforms to train tools? And the impact of personalised content on audiences.
As AI is making it harder to tell the difference between human and machine creation, media organisations need to come up with clear rules protecting intellectual property and privacy, especially when they use datasets.
"Broadcasters need strict guidelines to respect privacy rights of individuals when creating images or video," Pillay said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Enhancing research accessibility: University of Pretoria's innovative AI translation initiative
The University of Pretoria's library services has launched an AI project aimed at translating academic research into several languages. Image: File The University of Pretoria's Department of Library Services (DLS) launched the groundbreaking 'Translation of Abstracts' project - an initiative that harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to make research accessible in multiple indigenous languages. The project is the product of collaboration between professional and academic departments, reflecting the university's commitment to transdisciplinary work. 'This is about the kind of university we want to be,' said Professor Suni Maharaj, UP Vice Principal for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, in stressing the need for collaboration and to bridge not only the digital divide, but also the emerging AI divide. 'AI is a tool that allows us to do things we never thought possible. We must ensure it becomes an opportunity for all, not a barrier for many.' The DLS sees this project as more than just a technical exercise - it is an invitation for students to engage with issues beyond their academic timetables, through activities such as book clubs and poetry nights in indigenous languages, said the DLS Director, Lindiwe Soyizwapi. It was further said that providing access to knowledge is central to the library's mandate, and with research capable of addressing societal challenges and shaping policy, this project aligns with a broader movement toward inclusive, multilingual knowledge that benefits both academia and society. The project was linked to the long-held dream of a decolonised education system, in which students can think, learn, and create in their mother tongues. 'This is cultural and linguistic preservation. It's equity. It's self-determination. We are making history by ensuring no student is excluded,' student David Kabwa said. A representative from the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR), Professor Langa Khumalo, reinforced this by stating that language humanises us. 'The choice of language in education has historically been weaponised to suppress other ways of learning. We must actively cultivate indigenous digital knowledge, challenging the notion that English equals knowledge.' Professor of Computer Science, Vukosi Marivate, explained that systems don't know our languages. 'We need to build systems that recognise them.' He added that this work is driven not by ego, but by care - care for communities, for future generations, and for the survival of linguistic diversity. The project's development involved training AI models with 25 academic abstracts into Afrikaans, IsiZulu, and Sepedi, refining them through human translation and validation to ensure academic precision, accuracy, and language context. Khumalo described the aim as 'not to dumb it down, but to maintain scientific rigour while broadening access.' Early results have shown the unique challenges of different languages. For example, Afrikaans translations required only minor human editing, while Sepedi translations demanded significant reworking due to missing terminology - a process likened to 'building a house while manufacturing the bricks.'
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Residents invited to learn AI at free literacy workshop
Founding member of Newzroom Afrika, eTV and Movie Room, Malebo Phage, will be facilitating a free AI workshop to provide residents with the foundational knowledge about Artificial Intelligence, better known as AI. On August 23, the literacy workshop will take place at Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church in Mohlakeng with the theme 'No One Left Behind in the Digital Era'. Moses Morakile and Rapule Mokobane will organise the event. According to Malebo, this workshop aims to equip community members, particularly those in underserved areas, with foundational knowledge about AI. 'We want to demystify AI, encourage open discussion about its ethical and social implications, and ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage meaningfully in our increasingly tech-driven society,' he explained. Further, Malebo emphasised the community might gain beneficial insight, including practical tools, resources and knowledge to navigate AI in everyday life. 'This will help residents understand AI's impact in the workplace while empowering them to plan for the future,' he said. He added that as the world develops, AI is reshaping every sector from education to business to everyday tasks. 'Understanding this concept might help the community to adapt and additionally make informed decisions about its use and regulation,' he continued. Malebo further highlighted the pros and cons of AI: • Pros: 'Automation of repetitive tasks, increased efficiency, new career opportunities, enhanced data analysis and creative possibilities.' • Cons: 'Job displacement in certain sectors, potential bias in algorithms, privacy concerns and misuse if not properly regulated.' With this knowledge, he invites the community to join him in the workshop where he will discuss the topic in depth. 'We welcome Randfontein residents because these communities have tremendous untapped potential and deserve equal access to AI knowledge and skills, ensuring no one is excluded from the digital future.' Malebo is an editor-in-chief with over 40 years' experience in broadcasting, digital media and journalism training. He collaborates with universities, public institutions and the Sector Education and Training Authority to bridge digital skill gaps and empower creators.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
‘We must propel the voices of women in science' – Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation at UP Women in Science Symposium
Held under the theme 'Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science', the Deputy Minister described the event as both a tribute and a call to action to celebrate, empower and propel the voices of women in science towards a future that truly reflects the diversity, strength and potential of South Africa. Ms Gina was delivering the keynote address at the seventh annual Women in Science Symposium, hosted by the University of Pretoria (UP) at Future Africa, UP's pan-African platform for collaborative research. Despite notable progress in empowering and elevating South African women in science, Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina has urged greater national commitment to spotlighting the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 'We must reflect on the strides we have made, acknowledge the work yet to be done, and commit ourselves to the determination required for real, lasting transformation,' she said. 'Women in South Africa are contributing groundbreaking research, setting global standards in health, environmental sciences, data and digital technologies, and many more fields. Yet we cannot ignore that women and girls remain underrepresented, especially at senior and strategic levels.' Ms Gina said UP's Women in Science platform is a crucial platform through which to celebrate the achievements of South African women in science, including those who conduct cutting-edge research, lead multidisciplinary teams, head institutions, and inspire thousands of students. Similarly, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation's South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in STEM. UP Vice-Principal for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education Professor Sunil Maharaj applauded the phenomenal contributions and advancements that women have made in all areas of STEM. He acknowledged that these achievements were made in the face of many obstacles, with many more still to be overcome. UP is home to more than 2 932 academics and researchers, of whom 57% are women. UP has 447 professors, of whom 39% are women. Women currently account for 40% of UP's total of 570 National Research Foundation- rated researchers, and 50% of its South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) positions are held by women. 'Faced with a legacy of inequality, you have had to go all out to prove yourselves in what was, and in too many cases still is, a male-dominated world,' Prof Maharaj said. 'My heartfelt wish is that in the near future we can dispense with terms like 'male-dominated world' as a never-to-be-repeated anachronism. At UP, we are entirely committed to achieving gender equality and women's empowerment at all levels and in all fields.' Dr Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl, UP's Director of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships, said, 'We can do so much more together through empowered intergenerational dialogue that starts to interrupt, disrupt, and break the cycle of stereotypes and gender biases. We must ask ourselves the painful questions about our youth. Who gets to see themselves become scientists? And who gets left out before they even get a chance? These questions need answers and call for transformative and inclusive change that supports the empowerment of girls and women beyond their current place of being relegated to the fringes of the economy and society.
