Sunday Times 2
SAWM launches AI training for women in media
View(s):In an effort to enhance the understanding and skills in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) among Lankan women journalists and content creators, the South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) -Sri Lanka conducted the first of three training workshops at the Mandarina Hotel, Colombo.
The initiative is part of a project implemented by SAWM–Sri Lanka with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka.
Women journalists, content creators getting hands-on training on AI tools
The Netherlands Deputy Ambassador Iwan Rutjens said AI is shaping many things, including journalism, presenting challenges and opportunities. “AI has made dramatic changes to newsgathering, dissemination and receiving information, and media outlets around the world are using AI for content creation, information gathering and data analysis,” he said, but cautioned that while AI can increase newsroom efficiency, it has also been used for information manipulation, disinformation and to create undue influences.
“According to the UN, digital tools are increasingly being used to stalk, harass, and abuse women and girls.” Image manipulation, deepfake videos and certain apps are being used to target women as AI is gaining popularity and more widespread, he said, stressing the need for journalists to know the opportunities and challenges posed by AI.
Sharmini Boyle, Trustee, SAWM- Sri Lanka, said the training workshops were custom designed to improve capacities of women journalists. The workshops, designed and delivered by Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa cover key topics such as AI tools for journalism, verification, and digital safety. The second workshop for Sinhala language participants was held on Thursday (6) and the third workshop for Tamil language journalists will be on November 11.