The Media and Mass Communication (MMC) Department of American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) hosted a webinar titled "Innovation in the Newsroom: The Role of AI in Journalism Today" on Thursday, April 4, 2024. This virtual event, conducted via Zoom, gathered a diverse audience keen on exploring the evolving landscape of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence.

The webinar featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including Pratyush Ranjan, Head of Digital Services, Social Media, Multimedia & Fact Checking at Press Trust of India; Shafiqul Alam, Bureau Chief of AFP Bangladesh; and Angur Nahar Monty, Freelance Journalist & Media Trainer, Adjunct Faculty of the Department of MMC, Bangladesh.

Prof Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor of AIUB, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, alongside special Guest Prof Dr. A J M Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, Advisor, Department of MMC, AIUB. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Ms. Afroja Sultana, Coordinator of the Department of MMC, AIUB.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman emphasized the transformative potential of AI in journalism while cautioning about the need for ethical considerations and human supervision in its utilization. He highlighted the importance of preparing professionals to adapt to the evolving technological landscape, underscoring the role of academic institutions in providing cutting-edge training and guidance to students and faculty members.

Prof. Dr. Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan echoed Dr. Rahman's sentiments, emphasizing the necessity for journalists to adapt to technological advancements while cautioning about the potential consequences of AI dependency. He also highlighted the lack of control over the AI technology in the global south and stressed the significance of understanding its implications on society, culture, and politics.

Keynote speaker Pratyush Ranjan shed light on the current applications of AI in newsrooms, emphasizing the importance of human oversight in AI-driven processes. He discussed AI's role in data analysis, content creation, and distribution, highlighting its potential to enhance journalistic workflows while emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines and verification processes.

Mr. Shafiqul Alam of AFP Bangladesh provided insights into the current state of AI adoption in Bangladeshi media outlets. He pointed out that use of AI tools in Bangladesh is still in its early stage. He discussed the challenges faced in implementing AI technologies, including limitations in data availability and the ethical implications of AI-generated content in Bangladesh.

Angur Nahar Monty emphasized the imperative for journalists to stay abreast of technological advancements to combat misinformation and disinformation effectively. She underscored the role of academia in preparing future journalists to navigate the evolving media landscape ethically and responsibly.

The webinar concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists and delve deeper into the topics discussed.

The webinar was moderated by Ms. Nasrin Akter, Assistant Professor, Dept of MMC, AIUB. Participants included heads of other departments of AIUB, faculty members and students of AIUB.