Journalism in the Age of AI
By Sheikh Mohammed Arif (Dhaka Bureau)
In a world grappling with the rapid spread of rumors, misinformation, and the rising threat of ‘deepfake’ videos, technical proficiency for journalists has become indispensable. To address these challenges, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) organized a seven-day intensive training workshop titled ‘AI-Powered Journalism: Opportunities, Risks, and Digital Security.’
The workshop concluded successfully on Friday (May 8, 2026) at the Shofiqul Kabir Auditorium of DRU in the capital. Shofiqul Islam Khan Milton, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest and distributed certificates among the participants.
The chief guest of the closing ceremony, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton, was presented with a commemorative award by the DRU executive committee. Photo- DRU.
Speaking at the event, Shofiqul Islam Khan Milton emphasized the evolving nature of the profession. ‘In this technology-driven era, verifying the accuracy of information has become a greater challenge than gathering it. Journalists must transcend traditional reporting and become skilled fact-checkers. Only through responsible journalism can we thwart misinformation and deliver authentic news to the people,’ he stated.
Presided over by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon, the session featured speakers who discussed the dual-edged nature of Artificial Intelligence. They noted that while AI can be weaponized for propaganda, its ethical and constructive application can make journalism more robust and impactful for society.
A scene from a special training workshop titled ‘AI-Powered Journalism: Opportunities, Risks and Digital Security’ organized by DRU. Photo- DRU.
Organized in collaboration with XYZ Cloud Bangladesh and Gamplify, the workshop saw participation from approximately 500 DRU members. The hands-on sessions provided journalists with practical training in:
* Modern AI Tools: Effective use of ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Studio, and NotebookLM.
* Fact-Checking Techniques: Advanced methods to identify deepfakes and manipulated media.
* Data Journalism: Analyzing Big Data to generate rapid news insights.
* Content Streamlining: Extracting key information from lengthy audio, video, and PDF files to draft scripts and reports efficiently.
DRU General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel highlighted the necessity of adaptation. ‘AI is no longer just an optional technology; it is an essential tool for increasing speed, accuracy, and analytical depth. To keep pace with the times, achieving this technological excellence is mandatory,’ he remarked.
Mahfuzur Rahman, Managing Director of Gamplify, along with other trainers, demonstrated how AI can save hours of labor in research, translation, and generating headlines from complex datasets. Participating journalists gained real-world experience in applying AI to investigative journalism and digital storytelling.
The ceremony was attended by the DRU Executive Committee members, prominent journalists, and IT experts. This initiative is being hailed as a significant milestone in the technological transformation of the Bangladeshi media landscape.
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The Author:
Sheikh Mohammed Arif: Senior journalist and Panel Editor for Pressenza, Dhaka Bureau.
