Experts Advocate AI Adoption in Nepali Media Development

Experts gathered at the ‘National AI Conference, 2081’ organized by the Digital Media Foundation in Kathmandu emphasized the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of Nepali media. The conference, which convened notable figures including Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, explored the potential of AI to revolutionize various sectors in Nepal.

In his address, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun underscored the government’s commitment to fostering a stable policy environment conducive to IT infrastructure development. He highlighted AI as a critical component of Nepal’s technological advancement, warning against the consequences of falling behind in adopting these modern technologies.

Participants engaged in a session titled ‘The Future of Media: AI Innovation in Global and Local Context,’ where they discussed the barriers preventing widespread AI integration in Nepali media houses. Bibek Poudel, an AI expert, emphasized AI’s potential impact across infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare, education, and economic sectors.

President of Digital Media Foundation, Prabesh Subedi, lamented the inadequate pace of IT development in Nepal, stressing the urgent need for creating an environment conducive to international IT competition.

Professor Dr. Bhanubhakta Acharya, a scholar in mass communication, advocated for increased AI adoption in newsrooms, citing its potential to enhance journalistic capacities through tasks like cross-verification and headline matching.

Professor Dr. Sudan Jha from Kathmandu University’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering highlighted AI’s role in ensuring content accuracy and knowledge dissemination, particularly in journalistic fact-checking.

Shiva Gaunle, Editor-in-chief of Onlinekhabar, urged greater investment in AI technologies within Nepali media houses, asserting that AI would complement rather than replace journalistic roles, thereby bolstering competitiveness and operational efficiencies.

The conference concluded with a consensus among participants that integrating AI into Nepali media practices is not just beneficial but imperative for staying abreast of global technological advancements.