Artificial intelligence is the latest hurdle for media organizations, following the transformative impact social media has already had on audience reach and news distribution, according to Raed Barqawi, Executive Editor-in-Chief of Al Khaleej. While AI offers unprecedented speed in generating content and accessing vast amounts of data, the core issue remains the human expertise required to utilize these tools effectively. The challenge is not merely technological but centers on maintaining a delicate balance between rapid delivery and the foundational need for journalistic integrity.
Barqawi warns that simply possessing high-tech tools will not suffice. A journalist lacking the fundamental knowledge and the capacity to frame critical, incisive questions will gain no real advantage from AI, and may even risk degrading their content quality through over-reliance on automation. Technology, he argues, must serve to bolster the existing experience of media professionals rather than acting as a replacement for human intellect and editorial judgment.
Strategic digital transformation remains essential for future success. Citing the experience of Al Qabas as a leading Arab example, Barqawi suggests that media outlets should prioritize long-term growth over fleeting metrics. Institutions must move beyond simply chasing higher follower counts, aiming instead to convert passive readers into a consistently engaged audience that finds recurring value in their coverage. The report also notes that 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 explained that AI has provided tools which allow access to information and content production at a faster pace.