AI’s Transformative Influence on Media Landscape

By SYED MOHAMMED IDID, General Manager, Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, West Coast Expressway (WCE) and AI ChatGPT advocate

The media and communication landscape in Asia, including Malaysia, stands witness to the multifaceted impact of AI. This article delves into the intricacies of AI’s role in content creation, audience engagement, and the reshaping of journalistic practices within the context of Asian and Malaysian media.

Content Creation and Personalization:

AI’s ability to generate content at an unprecedented pace has revolutionized newsrooms and content producers across Asia. Malaysian media giant, Astro, employed AI-powered language models to craft personalized news summaries for its viewers, tailoring content to individual preferences. This innovation led to enhanced user engagement and a more immersive news consumption experience. However, the challenge lies in maintaining the authenticity and credibility of AI-generated content amidst concerns of quality and bias.

Automated Journalism and Verification:

Asian news agencies are harnessing AI’s potential to expedite news reporting and fact-checking. Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent introduced ‘Jiyan,’ an AI-powered tool that monitors social media trends, detects misinformation, and alerts journalists in real-time. In Malaysia, during the recent general elections, The Star newspaper employed AI algorithms to swiftly verify election-related information circulating on social media platforms. This amalgamation of AI and journalism promotes efficient news dissemination while safeguarding against fake news proliferation.

Audience Insights and Engagement:

The diverse demographics of Asia pose unique challenges in audience engagement. AI-driven analytics platforms, like South Korea’s Vpon, analyze user behaviour and preferences to enable targeted advertising campaigns. In Malaysia, iFlix, a streaming platform, employs AI algorithms to understand viewer preferences and curates a personalized content library.

SYED MOHAMMED IDID, General Manager, Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Engagement, West Coast Expressway (WCE)

Challenges and Ethical Considerations:

The integration of AI in Asian and Malaysian media has not been without its challenges. In 2022, India’s Press Information Bureau faced backlash when an AI-generated news article contained factual errors.

Similarly, Malaysia’s New Straits Times faced criticism when an AI system inadvertently promoted content with a gender bias. Ensuring AI-generated content meets rigorous standards and adheres to ethical guidelines is imperative to maintain public trust.

Local Innovations and Global Collaboration:

Asian nations, including Malaysia, are investing in homegrown AI solutions for media and communication. Japan’s NHK leveraged AI to enhance Olympic coverage through real-time translations and personalized highlight reels.

In Malaysia, AI startup ‘Vocket’ developed an AI-powered chatbot that engages with local audiences, answering queries and disseminating news in vernacular languages.

These innovations reflect a concerted effort to harness AI’s potential while preserving cultural nuances.

As the Asian and Malaysian media and communication landscape undergoes a paradigm shift, the transformative influence of AI is undeniable.

From content creation to audience engagement, AI-driven technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. However, vigilance is essential to address challenges such as bias, authenticity, and privacy concerns.

By embracing local innovations and fostering global collaboration, the media industry in Asia, can navigate the complex terrain of AI and ensure a future where technology and journalism coexists harmoniously.