Harnessing the power of AI: a new dawn in Lao journalism

The Lao Journalists’ Association and CARE International in Laos convened a groundbreaking forum on August 2, 2024 to discuss the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and address the challenges posed by online social media in the Lao media landscape.
This significant event was supported by the Australian Embassy to Laos, the European Union, and no-table business leaders, reflecting a broad coalition committed to advancing media capabilities in Laos. The primary aim of the forum was to elevate the awareness and proficiency of media personnel in advanced information and communication technologies (ICT).
Attendees included the President of the Lao Journalists’ Association, Mr Savankhone Razmountry; Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Training Boardof the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Committee, Mr Vanxay Tavinyan; and the Director General of the ministry’s Mass Media Department, Mr Somsavath Phongsa.
The Deputy Australian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Dan Heldon, was also present, alongside representatives from the European Union and the U.S. Embassy in Laos, media leaders, and over 200 journalists from across the country, both in person and via online video links.
The forum, titled “How to Use Artificial Intelligence and Challenges of Social Media for Lao Media,” was a key feature of events to mark the 74th Lao Media Day.

Mr Dan Heldon.

Niall Leonard.

Mr Savankhone Razmountry.

Mr Savankhone said the forum was designed to equip media professionals with cuttingedge ICT tools, enabling them to produce timely, creative, and impactful content.
“Our goal is to ensure that media outputs are reliable, responsible, and of high quality, thus fostering societal progress, unity, and peace,” he said.
Opportunities and Challenges
Mr Savankhone underscored the importance of recognising both the opportunities and challenges brought by AI and social media.
“The use of AI is intended to enable readers and other media consumers to receive information quickly, provide them with rich content, and attract a wider audience, in line with Party and state development policies, reality, and the needs of the public,” he said.
The Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Laos, Mr Dan Heldon, highlighted the pervasive influence of technology across all professional spheres, particularly in the media. He noted the complexities introduced by rapid digital transformation, the spread of fake news, and cybersecurity concerns. “Artificial intelligence has significantly reshaped content creation, posing new challenges for journalists in their quest for truth,” he said.
First Counsellor, Head of Political, Press and Information Section, Delegation of the European Union to the Lao PDR, Mr Niall Leonard, emphasised the need for journalistic integrity in the AI era. He noted that with technologies like AI and Photoshop complicating lie detection, journalists must verify sources and clearly state any doubts or varying opinions when publishing uncertain information.
In the words of Mr Niall Leonard,” on behalf of the European Union, I am pleased to mark Lao Media Day, and to note the work of the the Green Action through Media, Mass Organisation and Civil Society (GAMCIL) Project in Laos since September 2023. The EU works closely with the Government of the Lao PDR to achieve Green Growth, in line with the 9th Plan and the National Growth Strategy.
Journalism is a serious job. It brings responsibility. You have a duty to your audience, and to yourselves as citizens. I wish you an interesting and productive seminar, and I thank our good partners at the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism; at the Lao Journalists Association, and at CARE Lao PDR, for their energy and commitment”. 

Experts share their thoughts on key topics related to AI and the role of social media during a panel discussion on Friday.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI, which refers to algorithms capable of producing new content such as text, images, video, and music based on training data, was a focal point of the forum. These AI systems leverage deep learning techniques, especially neural networks, to discern patterns and generate original outputs.
Impact on News and Media
AI is revolutionising content creation, distribution, and consumption, enhancing efficiency and personalisation. In news gathering, AI facilitates automated news collection from various sources in real-time and enables data analysis to identify trends and breaking news.
AI also plays a crucial role in content creation. With generative AI tools, media professionals can produce new content efficiently. These tools can generate articles, headlines, and even multimedia content, such as videos and images, based on predefined parameters and data inputs. For instance, AI-driven platforms can craft engaging and personalised news stories tailored to individual reader preferences, enhancing user experience and engagement.
Expert Insights and AI Tools
During the forum, experts delivered insightful talks on key topics, including AI’s role in assisting news and media agencies, AI journalism ethics, ensuring benefits and safety in using social media, strategies to counter fake news, and the importance of sustainable green development.
One of speaker, Managing Director of Lao Youth Radio, Dr Bounheng Southichak showcased several AI tools poised to transform newsroom operations. These included ChatGPT from OpenAI for conversation assistance, content creation, news structuring, research, translation, and more. He also introduced Gemini from Google, which creates images from text, Midjourney for generating realistic images from textual descriptions, and other tools like ElevenLabs, Otter, Suno, and Perplexity for various media-related tasks.
Mr Savankhone expressed confidence that the knowledge gained at the forum would enable media organisations to innovate in news editing, translation, image modification, and video editing, thereby enhancing the efficiency and quality of media output.
He stressed that these advancements would bolster journalists’ abilities to produce valuable and engaging content for diverse audiences, ultimately increasing media revenue.
Ethical Considerations
The forum also addressed critical ethical considerations surrounding AI. These included issues of bias and fairness, the risks of misinformation, concerns about privacy and data usage, and the necessity for transparency in AI-generated content. Another speaker, President of Lao ICT and Digital Association and Vice President of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry,  Mr Thanousone Phonamat, highlighted the dualedged nature of AI in journalism. “While AI offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges and ethical considerations. Ensuring responsible AI use in journalism is crucial to maintaining trust and credibility. There are technical and operational hurdles to implementing AI solutions, such as the need for specialised skills and resources. Additionally, transparency and accountability are essential to avoid biases and ensure that AI tools are used ethically. Media organisations must navigate these challenges to fully harness the potential of AI while upholding journalistic standards,” he said.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Thanousone encapsulated the essence of AI’s role in modern journalism. “AI is playing a transformative role in news and media, enhancing various aspects of journalism and content delivery.
From news gathering and content creation to personalisation, factchecking, and audience engagement, AI offers numerous benefits that can drive growth and innovation. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing AI will be crucial for media organisations to stay ahead.”
AI’s Broader Benefits
AI’s advancements extend beyond chatbots and personal assistants like ChatGPT. It offers numerous benefits across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, transportation, customer service, manufacturing, education, and agriculture.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be part of our future. It’s inevitable,” Mr Thanousone said.
In summary, the forum underscored the Lao Journalists’ Association’s commitment to advancing media standards in alignment with Party and state policies, ensuring that the media remains adept and responsive to the public’s needs in the digital era.  This initiative marks a significant step towards a more informed, connected, and progressive Lao society.

By Phonepaseuth Volakhoun
 (Latest Update August 13, 2024)