Chinese Think Tank Urges Ethical AI Use in News Media to Foster Global Development

BEIJING: A recent report from a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency has shed light on the dual-edged influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the global news media landscape. The study, presented during the 6th World Media Summit in Urumqi, underscores both the potential enhancements AI can offer in news production and the significant ethical and credibility challenges it poses. According to Emirates News Agency, the report titled "Responsibility and Mission of News Media in AI Era," emphasizes the critical balance between the advancement of AI technologies and the governance needed to mitigate its risks. It reveals that 66 percent of media professionals view AI's impact positively, with over half already integrating AI tools in their operations. These technologies are primarily expected to boost the timeliness and productivity of news reporting. However, concerns remain high, with 76.4 percent of respondents wary of AI's potential to distort facts and compromise news authenticity. The report advocates for stringent regulations, with 85.6 percent of media outlets calling for better oversight over AI applications. The findings originate from a comprehensive survey conducted in 2024, encompassing over 1,000 media professionals from 53 countries. These participants represent a broad spectrum of the media industry, including print, broadcast, and digital platforms. The document highlights AI's role in enhancing user experience and fostering new business models, such as platform-based media and digitalized, intelligent media ecosystems. Yet, it also cautions against the proliferation of false information and the ethical dilemmas spurred by AI, noting an emerging "intelligence divide" that could exacerbate global inequalities. To counter these challenges, the report proposes that media organizations embrace a "people-first" philosophy and advocate for the use of "intelligence for good." It suggests ramping up intelligent-driven initiatives to bolster media value and establishing stringent ethical sta ndards for AI use to maintain public trust and accountability. Ultimately, the report calls for global cooperation to harness AI's potential responsibly, urging media entities to contribute to a balanced cognitive environment and a community with a shared future.