AI Transforms Newsrooms Globally, Balancing Efficiency with Editorial Integrity
BENGALURU, India – Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping newsroom operations worldwide, prompting discussions on responsible implementation, sustainable business models, and the crucial need to maintain editorial integrity. These themes were central to the recent AI Media Week forum, hosted by WAN-IFRA, and underscored a growing recognition of AI’s potential to both assist and challenge the journalism industry.
The forum opened with a keynote address from Avinash Mudaliar, Co-founder and CEO of HT Labs, who highlighted the challenges posed by an explosion of content and the need for innovative approaches to building sustainable news businesses in the digital age. Mudaliar’s company, HT Labs, has launched several digital platforms including OTTplay and Slurrp, demonstrating a commitment to navigating the evolving media landscape.
Discussions centered on integrating AI across various newsroom functions – from workflows and product development to audience engagement and revenue generation – with a strong emphasis on measurable results and responsible governance. A leadership panel featuring Sowbhagyalakshmi K.T. (Director, The Printers Mysore), Mukesh Sharma (Co-founder & Dy CEO, Collective Newsroom), Tresa Sherin Morera (Senior Editor – Publishing & Production, Thomson Reuters), and Santhosh George Jacob (Coordinating Editor, Manorama Online) explored how AI is transforming editorial strategy within Indian news organizations.
A key takeaway from the panel was the consensus that AI should augment, not replace, journalists. The goal is to reduce workload and enhance credibility, allowing newsrooms to focus on producing high-value, in-depth content.
Beyond strategic discussions, the forum showcased practical applications of AI. Case studies from the WAN-IFRA AI Catalyst South Asia Cohort 2 program highlighted AI-assisted coding workflows at The Hindu, AI-powered fact-checking initiatives at The Logical Indian, and AI-driven Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology used for advertising and sales intelligence at Sakal Media Group.
Looking ahead, AI Expert Ezra Eeman, Director of Strategy & Innovation at NPO (Netherlands), shared predictions for the future of AI in media, extending into 2026 and beyond.
The event culminated in a curated study tour of leading technology and media organizations in Bengaluru, including visits to The News Minute, CleverTap, NeuralGarage, Bamboobox, and PocketFM, offering participants firsthand exposure to real-world AI applications in areas like cloud infrastructure, audience analytics, and generative AI. A pre-forum workshop also empowered journalists and editors to build custom AI-powered applications for their newsrooms.
WAN-IFRA’s AI in Media initiative aims to support news organizations in adopting AI responsibly and strategically through forums, workshops, and peer exchange programs, with further global editions planned for the coming months.
For inquiries, contact Magdoom Mohamed ([email protected]) or Thai Anban Chokkalingam ([email protected]) at WAN-IFRA.
