KUCHING — Artificial intelligence tools in news production demand uncompromising human verification to safeguard information integrity, Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) Chief Executive Officer Ainol Amriz Ismail emphasized during Wednesday’s Sarawak Media Conference 2025.
Addressing delegates including Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, Ismail cautioned that while 80% of Malaysian journalists now use AI for content generation, only 65% of readers trust such material – creating a critical credibility deficit requiring industry-wide action.
“Absolute trust in AI is indefensible,” Ismail stated at the conference venue, a prominent local hotel. “Ambiguous prompts frequently generate distorted outputs detached from factual reality.” He highlighted how unclear instructions to AI systems can produce plausible yet fundamentally incorrect information, necessitating cross-referencing with primary sources.
The CEO specifically warned about sophisticated deepfake threats, noting these technologies can now replicate voices and facial expressions with alarming precision to create fraudulent content. This exacerbates disinformation challenges in Malaysia’s media landscape, where viral falsehoods spread exponentially through social platforms.
While acknowledging AI’s efficiency advantages over traditional research methods – replacing library archives with instant digital access – Ismail stressed: “Verification remains the journalist’s sacred duty. Every AI-generated claim must undergo rigorous validation before publication.” He further urged journalists to master data analysis fundamentals like sentiment tracking to better understand audience engagement patterns.
The Premier’s opening address framed these discussions within Sarawak’s broader digital transformation initiatives, underscoring the state’s commitment to technological advancement anchored in ethical safeguards. Over 200 media professionals attended the conference, reflecting industry-wide urgency to balance innovation with accountability.
