Depok-The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is bringing about major changes in the world of media and journalism. AI is now used not only to assist news production but also to support research, fact-checking, data analysis, and understanding society’s increasingly dynamic information consumption patterns. Amid this transformation, the ability to understand technology while upholding human values is a crucial skill for today’s journalists.
Responding to this challenge, students of the Multimedia Broadcasting study program in the Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI), participated in a workshop titled “Refining the Journalistic Workflow with AI” held on May 13, 2026 at @america, Pacific Place, South Jakarta. This activity provided a learning space for students to understand how AI is beginning to change the work patterns of media and newsrooms in various countries, to accelerate fact verification and expand the reach of coverage.
The workshop featured Roni Satria, an AI and journalism practitioner with international experience as a participant in the Cambridge Social Data School at the University of Cambridge, the AI Journalism Lab: Adoption in New York, and Journalism AI Discovery at the London School of Economics (LSE). In his presentation, Roni explained that AI is now used in various media work processes, from transcription and translation automation, data analysis, bias detection, to faster and more efficient fact-checking.
He also highlighted that the presence of AI has become part of the transformation of the global media industry, including in the Southeast Asian region. Therefore, an understanding of AI is considered highly relevant to the needs of today’s media industry, which is moving increasingly rapidly and presenting new challenges for the world of journalism. In the discussion session, students were invited to understand the various challenges that arise from the massive use of AI, such as the potential for algorithmic bias, the spread of AI-based disinformation, and the decline in public trust due to content produced without adequate verification. “One issue of concern is the phenomenon of hallucinations, when AI produces information that seems convincing but is actually inaccurate. This phenomenon serves as a reminder that verifying primary sources remains a primary responsibility of a journalist,” he said.
(Photo: Group photo with students after the lecture ended)
Students were also reminded that the use of AI in journalism must remain grounded in the five basic principles of journalism: truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality, humanity, and accountability. Therefore, the ability to use technology must be balanced with critical thinking skills, an understanding of media ethics, and the speed of information verification. Beyond discussing technological developments, the workshop also emphasized the importance of humanitarian values in journalistic practice. Furthermore, direct interviews with sources were emphasized as a crucial element that cannot be completely replaced by technology. Human interaction is considered capable of providing context, empathy, and depth to stories that AI cannot reproduce.
The material discussed in the workshop closely relates to the competencies learned by Multimedia Broadcasting students, particularly in the areas of content production, digital journalism, broadcast media, and technology-based communication management. The Head of the Multimedia Broadcasting Study Program, Peny Meliaty Hutabarat, M.S.M., believes that an understanding of AI and digital communication is now a crucial requirement for students in the media and creative industries.
“The development of AI is rapidly transforming the media and creative industries. Students need to understand more than just the tools and technology; they must also possess sensitivity, creativity, critical thinking skills, and communication ethics to ensure their work remains valuable and relevant. Workshops like this are crucial because they teach students to see AI as a tool that can help the creative and journalistic processes more effectively and responsibly,” said Peny.
Through this activity, students are expected to understand how AI can be utilized ethically and professionally in modern media practices, while maintaining the humanitarian values that are the main foundation of journalism. This includes technology, innovation, and maintaining ethical communication in the digital age.
