Interviewer ∼ Ysqali Arys
At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping the global media landscape, journalists and scholars gathered at the 13th International Winter School of Journalism and Communication to discuss one pressing question: what does the rise of AI mean for the future of journalism?
From February 18 to 21, 2026, with the support of the United Nations Information Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abai, the XIII International Winter School of Journalism and Communication “Media Pluralism: the Science of AI in Central Asia” was held in Almaty. This year, the media school was dedicated to World Radio Day and became an important platform for discussing the transformation of journalism and communications in the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Among the participants was Gulmira Serikbaykyzy Sultanbaeva, a journalism scholar who has closely observed the growing influence of artificial intelligence on media institutions. In a conversation during the event, she reflected on the promises and dilemmas emerging from the rapid integration of AI into the news ecosystem.
– How do you assess the current stage of development of artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is currently developing in a very progressive direction within society. Since I am not its developer, I cannot precisely evaluate how advanced it is from a technical standpoint. However, humanity today is facing new ethical and legal dilemmas and choices.
AI-generated content has transformed the work of many media organizations. It has boldly entered human life, various professional spheres, and everyday activities. Its capabilities in processing large volumes of data and quickly analyzing and presenting information are extensive.
However, many large editorial offices have encountered challenges. They struggle to distinguish between AI-generated content and content produced by humans. In addition, AI may lead to a reduction in journalism jobs. Ethical dilemmas are emerging in television journalism, the press, internet media, and new media. In some countries, AI already reads the news in editorial offices. In countries such as China and others, its presence is quite significant.
Another side of this process concerns ethical issues. It is necessary to distinguish AI-generated texts from human texts and to determine authorship. For example, when using products of OpenAI, large media organizations, including The Washington Post, have filed lawsuits claiming that “our content has been used.”
– If inaccuracies or errors appear in information produced using AI, who should bear responsibility? The author who used it, or the developers of ChatGPT? Who do you think should be responsible?
Artificial intelligence is only a tool. It helps process information, but responsibility belongs to humans. If an AI-generated material contains mistakes or distorted data, the responsibility should lie with the author who publishes it.
According to legislation in Kazakhstan, content created with the help of AI must be clearly indicated. If we fail to disclose this, we may be held accountable in court.
The increase in fake information and the spread of false content create serious challenges within the information space. Distinguishing between real and fake information is becoming increasingly difficult.
– How do you think artificial intelligence is changing the traditional role of journalism?
Artificial intelligence is indeed transforming the traditional role of journalism. Today journalists use AI tools to gather information, analyze data, edit texts, and create visual content.
On social media, users have begun generating their own portraits using AI, turning visual content into a trend. Journalists, bloggers, and ordinary people alike use AI in everyday life, as well as in fields such as medicine, sports, and religion.
However, information generated by AI must always be verified. Monitoring its quality and filtering it through professional standards is essential.
– In the future, will the profession of journalism undergo significant changes, or will artificial intelligence remain only an assisting tool?
No tool can replace a human being. Every individual is unique, with their own thoughts and critical perception. Artificial intelligence cannot control, master, or replace the human mind. Therefore, it will remain only a supporting tool.
– Let me ask a question related to World Radio Day: to what extent is artificial intelligence currently used to automatically produce radio broadcasts?
In radio broadcasting, sound synthesizers and voice-processing technologies are already being used. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish whether a voice is human or processed by AI. Voice recognition is possible only with specialized tools. Nevertheless, the human voice still holds the primary role in radio news.
– Do you think that in the future AI-generated content could completely replace radio journalists?
In countries such as China and Japan, AI presenters have already been used. They can work around the clock and never get tired. However, from an ethical perspective this is problematic. Artificial intelligence cannot convey genuine emotion. It always identifies itself as a tool: “I am not a human, I am AI.”
Artificial intelligence is transforming the media space and enabling faster processing of information. At the same time, legal regulation, authorship responsibility, and ethical limitations remain crucial issues.
As Gulmira Serikbaykyzy Sultanbaeva notes, AI may transform journalism, but it cannot fully replace humans. Public trust, professional responsibility, and genuine emotion will remain the core values of the journalism profession.