RIYADH: Media academics and experts will gather in Riyadh on Tuesday for a two-day conference to discuss the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the industry.
Organized by the Saudi Media and Communication Association, “Artificial Intelligence Media: Opportunities and Challenges” will bring together many leading figures in the field.
Jale Al Marsidi, vice president of the association and chair of the conference’s scientific committee, said AI is now widely used across media workflows, from scriptwriting to distribution and audience targeting.
The main challenge, he said, was maintaining professional and ethical standards while leveraging tools that allowed them to quickly create content.
Professor Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, Supervisor of the Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muhanna Chair in Energy and Professional Media, said that the development of media and AI depends on the strengthening of scientific research in the Arab world.
Limited research capacity and reliance on bureaucratic systems can slow innovation and weaken the ability to respond to technological change, he said.
Improving the quality of research and supporting knowledge-based policies are essential to avoid intellectual and technological stagnation, he said.
Professor Mohamed Al-Khari, from the Department of Media and Communication at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, said that the development of digital media through AI requires a rethink of media education.
He said reforms must include an understanding of the algorithms, technical systems and smart applications that underpin modern media.
Despite AI being central to content creation, distribution and analysis, some academic programs still treated technology as a minor element, he said.
Al Khali said data analysis, algorithmic thinking and generative AI tools need to be integrated into the curriculum from an early stage to ensure that students are fully prepared to meet the demands of industry.
Further education is also needed for teachers, he said, as some remain cautious about implementing these new technologies.
Ahmed Al Dahani, Saudi Arabia’s Monte Carlo Radio correspondent, said AI cannot replace journalists who use their experience to interpret information, compare it with real-life situations and identify trends.
However, AI-generated media content can cause confusion for viewers, he said, urging editors to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality content.
Saudi TV news anchor Rafi Al Rashidi said AI is a useful tool to support media professionals, but it must be used carefully to avoid over-reliance.
When used properly, AI can help improve the quality of media, he said, but when misused it can produce more superficial content.
