ABOUT a week ago, I decided to make a video ahead of my meeting in Beijing, on the use of artificial intelligence in the media.
With the help of Bernama and Huawei Malaysia, an AI avatar of me was generated speaking in the language, with convincing lip and voice gestures and movements.
With readily available tools, AI allows me to “speak” in any language I choose with near likeness to my voice.
The days of amateur voice dubbing of Malay-speaking Doraemon and Ultraman, which we grew up watching on television, has long expired.
AI will even allow the generators to create an artificial version of myself in great detail.
That AI alter ego of me, if that’s the right term, can be programmed to have conversations with those unaware that it’s not really me.
To rephrase a classic quote, it looks like me and sounds like me, but it isn’t really me. And the technology to do this isn’t even rocket science.
Now, that’s a new avatar I’d like to work on.
As a newcomer to this exciting technology, I have found how useful AI will be in helping generate content as well as fact check our work.
I arrived in Beijing on Thursday to attend a four-day conference organised by China Media Corp (CMG), one of the world’s largest broadcasting networks.
It’s a short training programme for media practitioners to learn about AI and the responsibilities that come with it.
AI will help focus our energies on productivity and creativity as it can handle the mundane daily work, although it can’t negate human decision making.
There’s a responsibility that must be shouldered by humans.
But more than that, as China and the United States compete in this technology, it concerns me that Malaysia has yet to fully embrace it.
At stake is international economic competitiveness and efficiency for Malaysia. Adapting faster to this technology in as many areas as possible will help Malaysia with proactive planning, which includes looking at talent, norms, standards, and research and development.
Will we be able to produce enough Malaysians who are skilled in this area of technology?
By being competent in AI technology, nations aspire to have a strategic advantage over their rivals, and outpace them.
AI is rapidly transforming the way things are done in many industries, including the media.
Media practitioners are at the forefront of harnessing AI’s potential as a tool for good while ensuring ethical usage.
Journalists can now make use of this new technology for advanced research, data analysis, and coming up with better story angles. They can even leverage AI’s writing assistance for initial drafts while retaining editorial control.
Unfortunately for Malaysia, it seems like we haven’t discovered the relevance of this cutting-edge technology yet.
Almost all sectors have not embraced it as much as they should. It’s probably due to the lack of knowledge and prohibitive costs, but the sad truth is our leaders haven’t focused on this area at all.
Are our regulators ready to ponder existing legal frameworks on the use of algorithm data which affects our lives and generates artificial content, even fake works?
Are our laws and regulators, and even enforcement bodies, equipped to take on those who violate the use of AI?
Yes, Malaysia has started drawing up the code of governance and ethics on AI, but it can’t take too long because technology won’t wait for us to catch up.
How can our police force be upskilled to use AI to conduct investigations and forensic work to help cut down manpower needs? The police have been identified as one area where the use of AI will help lighten the load.
Our politicians are unfortunately wasting too much time on inconsequential issues that won’t help Malaysia be on the forefront of the race to be an international player.
We need an effective action plan for AI to create public awareness. While we have a Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence 2021-2025, we also need a stronger push for a growing digital economy.
One notable venture is the collaboration between YTL Power International Bhd and US-based Nvidia Corp to develop AI infrastructures and build super computers.
For that, we need to attract as well as produce enough of these world forces.
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Wong Chun Wai
Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang, and has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer. On The Beat made its debut on Feb 23 1997 and Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for the occasional press holiday when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star.
