Bernama Adopts AI Tools To Boost Efficiency In News Production
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) has started acquiring a series of artificial intelligence (AI) tools aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its employees' work, especially in news production.
Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the technology has significantly streamlined tasks, including voice-to-text and multilingual functions, emphasising the importance for the agency to quickly adapt to AI.
“AI training is very important. I think that across the board, irrespective of what department you are in or what level, there is a need to be committed to learning AI skills. If you have acquired the AI skills, you would not have to worry.
“They (AI tools) are all very technical, but they (Bernama team) have briefed me. They are going to work with the creative team, so they are ready for it especially with The Nation AI office being set up. It is high time that we are able to merge and align everything together,” he said in Bernama TV's The Nation programme titled ‘Bernama in 2025: Vision, Innovation and Challenges in a New Era’, today.
In response to concerns that AI may replace human jobs, Wong emphasised that the technology is designed to eliminate mundane and tedious tasks, allowing individuals to focus more on real creative work.
“AI is there to help you; it should not take away your job. Even some of the AI-produced documentaries sometimes lack soul because they are not done by humans. But when the human element is added there, it removes the soulless elements and it looks good,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also hinted that the “Bernama's Journey” book, a compilation of the agency's history and its journey forward, is in the final stages of production and expected to be released soon.
“In this particular book, we hope that we can talk about the landmarks of Malaysia, the important dates and events from the perspective of a journalist that covered a certain event and what it was like to be there. What the feel was. We hope we will be successful in making this happen in the book.
“I was trained by Bernama editors, the nasty ones and the good ones. But they were all really good people. They have also made Malaysian journalism great, not just Bernama. They should be recognised, (from) former chairman, chief executive officer and editors, we want to put them all together so that they will be recognised for being the real heroes of Malaysian journalism,” he added.
On the ASEAN chairmanship 2025, Wong said Bernama pledged to deliver reports accurately and swiftly and at the same time re-establish the agency's connections with the media across the region.
“As we all know, while there are interesting issues, one of the biggest challenges will be, of course, the geopolitics in this area. If there are areas where there will be possible tensions, we do not want to aggravate it. Our role will be to report it accurately and to deliver it correctly and swiftly,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
