Anadolu CEO addresses ethical challenges of AI in media at ABNA-SE conference

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Under the leadership of Anadolu, which holds the presidency of ABNA-SE for 2024, a conference on shaping the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and media took place on Wednesday at the 32nd Ablyasa General Assembly and Conference in Istanbul.

"Navigating AI and Media" was hosted by Anadolu and organized by the Association of the Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) delegation members with the attendance of Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir, President and CEO of Anadolu Serdar Karagoz, and Secretary-General of ABNA-SE Kiril Valchev.

Karagoz highlighted the ethical complexities posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in media during his speech, describing media as "humanity's collective memory" and emphasized the transformative role AI plays in reshaping journalism.

He pointed out that AI is not just a technological advancement but "a profound intellectual challenge," urging the industry to reflect on whether machines can truly grasp human experience and ethical values.

Karagoz referenced real-world examples of AI's shortcomings, including an AI-based hiring tool by Amazon that was retired due to "systematic bias against female candidates."

He also highlighted X's (Twitter) cropping algorithm, which exhibited racial bias by disproportionately selecting white faces.

"This example shows us artificial intelligence may not always comply with the principle of impartiality," Karagoz said.

Discussing the implications of AI in conflict reporting, Karagoz raised concerns about AI's reliability, citing the Israeli-Gaza conflict.

"When we ask AI about Israeli war crimes, we do not get accurate and unbiased results," he stated, emphasizing the ethical responsibility in AI's application in journalism.

Karagoz concluded by expressing Anadolu's commitment to developing responsible AI systems in collaboration with the T3 Technology Foundation.

"We plan to introduce new methods in journalism by using technology effectively and responsibly," he said.

Besides, during his opening speech, Kiril Valchev, secretary-general of ABNA-SE, echoed Karagoz’s sentiments, stressing that while AI can enhance media operations, it cannot replace human creativity and emotion.

"I cannot imagine a place in the world where AI will replace the natural creation of God, people," he said, emphasizing that "an organization like our ABNA will never become a big computer in which algorithms will make decisions about our common future on the Balkans."

The conference served as a crucial platform for international collaboration to address the ethical and operational challenges at the intersection of AI and media.

Other participants to the conference included CEO of Türkiye's Bilisim Vadisi Erkam Tüzgen, Anadolu Deputy General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan, Anadolu's Academy and Publications Coordinator Yahya Bostan, and Anadolu Publications and Productions Coordinator Oguz Karakas.