Deeper China, Asean ties driven by AI

Media can help foster mutual trust and understanding, writes Vanniya Sriangura

- Vanniya Sriangura

Amid rising global uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, the deepening of cooperation between Asean and China has become more essential than ever.

At a recent forum in Luoyang, China, experts and officials emphasised Artificial Intelligence (AI) can serve as a powerful tool to enhance people-to-people connectivity, with media playing a central role in fostering mutual trust and understanding.

The forum, titled “Harnessing the Power of AI to Enhance Communication Cooperation in the Region,” was jointly organised by the Asean-China Centre (ACC), China International Communications Group (CICG), and China Center for International Communication Development.

It brought together Asean governments, embassies, and media outlets for a series of discussions on regional digital transformation and Al-enabled communication.

In his opening speech, Secretary-General of the Asean-China Centre, Shi Zhongjun, noted that Al is rapidly reshaping the global media landscape.

“Artificial Intelligence has become a transformative force, impacting industries across the board, especially media,” he said. “As the saying goes, ‘Every coin has two sides.’ While AI presents tremendous opportunities, it also introduces complex challenges, particularly the proliferation of fake news and disinformation.”

Mr Shi called for collaboration to leverage AI for positive communication while developing safeguards against its potential misuse.

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Phan Tam, who also gave a keynote speech, stressed that integrating AI into journalism is no longer optional in today's fast-paced information environment.