Hunker down, or plug in: SPH Media chairman on AI and why journalists can’t be replaced
What AI cannot do is generate original content, which is why reporters are still needed, he said.
The artificial intelligence landscape is reshaping the media industry, prompting SPH Media's executive chairman, Chan Yeng Kit, to propose two strategies for the company to navigate this change. The first option is to remain stagnant and resist the AI-driven transformation, while the second is to become an integral part of emerging AI platforms while preserving the core values of SPH Media. The chosen path for SPH Media is the latter.
During an interview with SPH Media journalists, Chan emphasized the importance of staying connected with AI developments to prevent being cut out of the news consumption process. "What I worry about is, at a more strategic level, a total disintermediation of particular parts of the business value chain that we have," Chan stated.
To achieve this, SPH Media has entered a partnership with Google to provide journalists with training in generative AI verification and facilitate responsible AI use in the newsrooms. This collaboration will also ensure SPH's content reaches wider audiences more efficiently through stronger integration with Google's distribution channels.
Furthermore, SPH Media is exploring other partnerships, though the specifics remain undisclosed due to non-disclosure agreements. Chan highlighted the potential benefits of AI, such as cost-effective language translation for SPH's multilingual titles, including an English version of the Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao and translations for Berita Harian and Tamil Murasu. Currently, AI translation can handle 98% of the work, requiring only a copy editor to ensure fidelity and edit the final product.
However, AI cannot replace journalists in generating original content, generating empathetic human connections, and providing editorial judgment and insights. Chan emphasized that these aspects remain crucial for the media organization. He believes AI development will continue to evolve, and while it may not become sophisticated enough for tasks requiring human empathy and intuition, SPH Media aims to master the fundamentals to adapt to the changing media landscape.
Additionally, Chan stressed the importance of diversifying SPH Media's product offerings to avoid being solely dependent on AI. He acknowledged that no media company, regardless of its size, has fully comprehended the exact impact of AI on the industry. Nevertheless, Chan remains optimistic about the company's future, citing the strong sense of mission among reporters and editors, which drives them to deliver meaningful journalism.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
