By Foday Moriba Conteh
Abu Bakarr Kargbo, a prominent Sierra Leonean journalist, is currently representing his country at the prestigious 6th World Media Summit (WMS) held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The summit, which is slated for October 12 to 17, 2024, brought together over 500 media professionals, including media executives, Government officials and technology experts from 106 countries, to explore the future of media in the digital age under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and Media Transformation.”
The event, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, served as a global platform for thought leaders in journalism and technology. Discussions and knowledge-sharing are focusing on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the media landscape. Attendees, including Abu Bakarr Kargbo, also known as “Fadda Bakish,” were joined by representatives from over 200 media outlets, Government agencies and tech companies, further cementing the summit’s global importance.
During the summit’s opening ceremony, Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency, highlighted AI’s significant role in enhancing media operations, reporting that technological innovations had led to a 70% improvement in efficiency within the industry. Fu Hua emphasized that while AI offers immense potential, it should be viewed as a tool to augment human creativity, rather than replace it. He stressed the importance of maintaining the human touch in news reporting and content creation.
The discussions at the summit are exploring both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in the media. A report presented at the event revealed that the majority of media professionals are embracing AI technology, but concerns about its regulation remain. Notably, 85.6% of those surveyed advocated for stricter regulations to ensure ethical and transparent use of AI in media.
In addition to the debates and presentations, Xinhua News Agency showcased cutting-edge AI technologies that are set to revolutionize content production and delivery in the near future. These displays captivated participants and offered a glimpse into the future of media innovation. A special plenary session was also held on the development of journalism in the digital era, providing valuable insights into emerging trends and best practices for the global media industry.
Since its establishment in 2009, the World Media Summit has become a key forum for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among media entities worldwide. This year’s summit built on the success of the 5th WMS, held in December 2023 in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces, with an increasing number of participants expressing eagerness to further strengthen international ties through future summits.
Beyond the summit’s intellectual exchanges, attendees had the opportunity to experience Xinjiang’s rich cultural history and natural beauty. Delegates were invited to explore the region’s connection to the ancient Silk Road and engage with local communities, promoting cross-cultural understanding in line with the summit’s goals of fostering global cooperation.
As AI continues to shape the media industry, bringing both innovations and challenges, the 6th World Media Summit underscored the importance of ethical AI practices and the role of journalists in maintaining a human-centric approach to storytelling. The summit is reaffirming the commitment of global media leaders to harnessing AI’s potential while preserving the core values of journalism.
