The fourth international conference on communication, media and the Artificial Intelligence revolution was inaugurated on Sunday under the auspices of Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information.
The conference, organised by the Department of Media at Sultan Qaboos University, is taking place over three days at the Intercity Muscat Hotel under the title 'Fourth International Conference (Communication, Media and the Artificial Intelligence Revolution: Present and Future).' It features the participation of more than 70 local and international researchers and speakers presenting a total of 60 scientific papers.
The main objective of the conference is to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the media and content industry, as well as to anticipate future challenges and opportunities.
In his opening speech, Dr Abdullah emphasised the significance of artificial intelligence, saying: "Artificial intelligence is transforming many aspects of our lives, especially in the creative and content industries. The media sector, in particular, is experiencing significant changes, some positive, such as the creation of new jobs and improvements in content production processes, and some negative, such as job losses and the proliferation of misinformation."
He added: "One of the most notable advantages is that artificial intelligence assists media organisations in analysing audience trends through big data and tailoring content to individual needs. These advancements coincide with two important events: the 50th anniversary of the commencement of Sultanate of Oman TV broadcasting, which began in 1974, and the recent enactment of the media law, which strikes a balance between freedoms and responsibilities."
During his speech, Professor Abdullah bin Khamis al Kindi, Chairman of the Conference Preparatory Committee and Head of the Department of Media at Sultan Qaboos University, highlighted the increasing importance of discussing the role of artificial intelligence in the media industry. He mentioned using artificial intelligence applications to draft his speech, indicating the profound changes occurring in the media sector.
Al Kindi pointed out the significant rise in the use of artificial intelligence in the media, with projections estimating a surge from $10 billion in 2022 to over $30 billion by 2030.
He also noted that approximately 80 per cent of social media users receive customised content through artificial intelligence algorithms. However, he cautioned about the challenges associated with this revolution, such as algorithmic bias, fake news dissemination, privacy threats, and the potential erosion of journalistic values.
Dr Alexandra Wick, Associate Professor of Journalism at RMIT University in Australia, delivered the keynote address at the conference, focusing on the impact of generative AI on the news industry and educational institutions. She highlighted the growing use of generative AI technologies for creating text, images, and artwork, emphasising the need for responsible education to ensure ethical usage of AI in journalism.
In collaboration with the Artificial Intelligence Journalism Foundation for Research and Foresight (AIJRF), the conference launched the "AI Content Creators Challenge" (GEN AI Youth), a competition involving over 50 trainees. The initiative aims to enhance the AI skills of young media professionals and journalists in Omani press organisations.
Dr Mohammed Abdul Dhaher, Chairman of the Challenge, highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's potential for AI sector growth and integration into various economic sectors. He emphasised the challenge's goal of promoting AI culture and enabling media professionals to utilise AI tools in their daily work.
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