Technology can benefit journalists only if they have knowledge and ability to ask right questions: Barqawi

Raed Barqawi, Executive Editor-in-Chief of Al Khaleej newspaper, affirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) has become a new challenge for media institutions, after social media platforms represented the greatest challenge in news distribution and reaching the audience.

Barqawi explained that AI has provided tools which allow access to information and content production at a faster pace, however, the real challenge does not lie in the tools themselves, but in the cadres capable of using them correctly, affirming the importance of achieving a balance between speed and credibility.

Barqawi emphasised that a journalist who does not possess the knowledge and the ability to ask the right questions will not benefit from search tools or AI technologies, warning that over-reliance on these technologies may harm the content instead of developing it.

He stressed that AI should be used to enhance the capabilities of the journalist and the media institution and to reach a wider audience, not as a substitute for journalistic knowledge and experience.

Barqawi noted that the experience of Al Qabas represents a leading Arab model in driving digital transformation, pointing out that the success of any media institution in the coming period will not be measured only by the increase in follower numbers, but by its ability to convert the follower into an engaged audience that returns to the institution continuously.