SIBU: Artificial intelligence should be seen as a tool to strengthen journalism rather than replace it, Lanang MP Alice Lau said, as she highlighted the evolving role of technology in the media industry.
Lau, who is also Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker, said the media continued to play a vital role in society by delivering accurate and timely information to the public, thereby promoting transparency, accountability and informed public discourse.
She noted that the rapid development of artificial intelligence had opened up new opportunities for the media, particularly in areas such as news gathering, data analysis and multimedia production.
These advancements, she said, could allow journalists to devote more time to verification, storytelling and in-depth reporting.
However, Lau cautioned that technological progress also brought challenges, including the spread of fake news and the emergence of deepfakes, underscoring the need for accuracy and credibility to remain at the core of journalism.
“Technology may change the way news is produced, but it cannot replace human judgement, integrity and responsibility,” she said at a Media Night event o Saturday (Feb 7).
Lau added that the future of the media should not be viewed as a contest between humans and artificial intelligence, but as a collaborative effort to safeguard truth and serve the public interest.
She also expressed appreciation for the role of the media in highlighting public concerns, which she said helped elected representatives improve policies and public services.
