Experts unpack how Al is rewriting journalism's future

At Sri Lanka's Media Festival 2025 hosted by SLIMFA, experts dissect Al's transformative impact on media India Today Chief Synergy Officer Shailesh Shekhar says digital platforms must be leveraged to eliminate excessive routine operations, directing focus towards content refinement and originality TV Derana Current Affairs Manager/ Journalist Kalindu Karunaratne notes inadequate technological integration within local journalism sector, calls for training and rules limiting exploitation of Al Opines taboos surrounding Al's role in inspiring content can be debunked if companies accept usage Dialog Axiata Group Chief Analytics and Al Officer Dr. Romesh Ranawana emphasises concerns surrounding misinformation and refinement can be evaded by tailoring applications to local contexts

- BY JANANI KANDARAMAGE

AS technology rapidly alters the fabric of the media landscape, the opportunities, threats, and ethical concerns surrounding its integration into journalism came under intense scrutiny during last week's panel discussion.

In Sri Lanka's first-ever Media Festival 2025 hosted by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA), India Today Chief Synergy Officer Shailesh Shekhar touched on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, with a focus on how journalists, particularly in India, are integrating AI into their workflow.

He emphasised that AI should be viewed as an ally that augments journalistic work rather than replacing it, stating: “AI doesn’t replace the judgment or creativity of journalists. Rather, it aids in tasks like gathering information and automating repetitive processes, ultimately enabling journalists to focus on crafting stories rather than getting bogged down by routine operations.”

Adding to Al’s role as an ally to human capabilities, he pointed to the launch of India’s first AI-powered news anchor two years ago as a significant milestone in the integration of AI into journalism. Although the anchor’s abilities were confined to predefined tasks, its presence afforded journalists more time to focus on refining the editorial process.