AI in Newsrooms: IGCF 2025 Debate on Trust vs. Technology
<p><strong>Humans vs. Machines: AI Sparks Intense Debate at IGCF 2025</strong></p><p><strong>Sharjah, UAE:</strong> On the opening day of the 14th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) in Sharjah, a hot-button question dominated discussions: Will artificial intelligence (AI) reshape journalism, or will it undermine the trust that underpins the profession? The session, titled <i>“Journalism vs. Artificial Intelligence: Humans or Machines?”</i>, brought together media leaders, technologists, and journalists under the Sharjah Press Club’s banner to explore AI’s growing influence in newsrooms. Key speakers included Hussam Al-Najjar, Leader of SAP Digital Transformation, and tech entrepreneur Simon Thethi.</p><p><strong>AI: From Assistant to Newsroom Brain</strong><br>Al-Najjar highlighted AI’s rapid advancement over the past two years, noting that language models improved from 30% accuracy on PhD-level science questions to over 80% today. “This is not incremental—it’s exponential,” he stressed. He revealed that by 2025, 87% of newsroom managers reported that AI had fully or partially transformed operations, up from 81% of journalists using AI tools in 2024.</p><p>Practical applications already in use include:</p><p>Summarising and transcribing interviews in minutes.</p><p>Analysing vast datasets and hours of video in a fraction of the time it takes humans.</p><p>Supporting multi-format storytelling, from articles to podcasts and social media content.</p><p>Al-Najjar likened AI to the <i>Star Trek</i> computer, envisioning editorial systems powered almost entirely by AI to deliver personalised, cross-platform news. “AI is not journalism’s enemy—it’s a tool,” he said. “Used responsibly, it can enhance relevance, efficiency, and storytelling impact.”</p><p><strong>The Trust Gap: Can Audiences Rely on AI-Generated News?</strong><br>Simon Thethi offered a more cautious perspective. He pointed to a surge in AI-generated websites, with Newsguard identifying over 1,300 sites publishing content without human oversight. “Since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022, AI-generated content has grown 8,300%,” he said. “Today, roughly 74% of websites rely heavily on AI.”</p><p>Thethi warned this trend threatens credibility: surveys indicate 58% of people no longer trust online information, and nearly 90% of journalists fear AI will amplify disinformation. “AI cannot go into the field, speak with people, or build human trust,” he argued. “It cannot replace the authority of a conflict reporter or the empathy of a journalist engaging with communities in crisis. Trust is created by humans.”</p><p><strong>AI as a Digital Intern, Not a Storyteller</strong><br>While cautioning against overreliance, Thethi acknowledged AI’s utility as a support system. Many newsrooms use it for repetitive tasks like transcription, translation, and data analysis. He cited Reuters, which reported a 30% boost in efficiency after implementing AI tools. “But the line must be drawn at storytelling,” he stressed. “When content becomes synthetic and mass-produced, credibility suffers. Journalism’s strength lies in authority, empathy, and trust—qualities AI cannot replicate.”</p><p><strong>A Balanced Path Forward</strong><br>The debate highlighted that the future of journalism is likely about balance, not replacement. AI can accelerate workflows and enhance capabilities, but human judgment and emotional intelligence remain irreplaceable. “With public trust fragile, how media organisations use AI will determine whether audiences respect or reject their work,” Al-Najjar concluded. Thethi added, “Technology should remain a tool; journalism must stay human at its core.”</p><p><strong>IGCF 2025: Communication for Quality of Life</strong><br>The 14th IGCF, themed <i>“Communication for Quality of Life”</i>, features 237 international speakers across 51 sessions and 110 activities, covering topics like food security, education, sustainability, public health, and the green economy. Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) and supported by 30 partners, the forum is one of the region’s most influential platforms for discussions at the intersection of communication, policy, and technology.</p>