‘Media must place the human being in the centre’

Morung Express News
Kohima | November 16

During the National Press Day Observation in Kohima, Editor and Publisher of Nagaland Page, Monalisa Changkija said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has enormous ramifications for the media; and the media needs to be together in either welcoming AI as a friend or confront it as a foe.

Speaking at the event organized by the Kohima Press Club, Changkija said that with extremely sophisticated scientific and technological innovations, the media faces newer threats. AI’s ramifications for the media, she viewed, would depend the media’s motives, agenda and moral compass. 

She also shared concerns on data privacy, algorithm bias and potential misuse of AI technologies, which lacks creativity and empathy, limiting its ability to understand emotions or produce original ideas. This, she pointed out is a serious concern for the media as their work is meant to be based on creativity, empathy and originality.

While AI is predicted to help revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, banking and transportation, she wondered whether the media, as an institution mandated to uphold democratic ethics, cultures and traditions would pay a steep price.

“These are issues we must dwell on in all seriousness because AI as a foe could very well end all aspects of the very institution of the media. As a friend, AI could enhance the media but only if we do not let it control us,” stated Changkija.

However, she viewed this would be difficult as machines have reduced the identity of human beings to codes and card numbers. She also questioned if AI would address issues and speak truth to power; and how the media would address the permeation of AI into politics, governance, cultures and thought processes.

Further, she posed whether the media would continue playing the role of the “public relations wings of governments, other power centers, the corporates and showbiz,” or stand as an independent and thinking media.

"I think that media in the era of AI has more to do with enabling and empowering citizens to fully comprehend and control technology to script their own narratives and not be beguiled by those with economic, political and cultural power that have a lot to lose when people think independently and act ethically" she stated. The media, she asserted must play its leadership role by placing the human being in the centre of the era of AI.

During the programme, KPC-NBOCWWB certificates were also presented to fellows Reyivolu Rhakho, Thejoto Nienu, Imti Longchar and Caisü Mao.