What role does artificial intelligence (AI) play in contemporary journalism? What challenges and opportunities does it pose for communication professionals? What values and principles should guide the use of this technology? These were some of the questions addressed at the 7th professional update workshop for journalists, held last January 26, at the Anahuac University Mexico.
The event, organized by the Regnum Christi communications office of the territory, the Archdiocese of Mexico and the Continuing Education Department of the Universidad Anáhuac México, was attended by more than 45 journalists from the most important media in the country, as well as two distinguished speakers: Bishop Francisco Javier Acero, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mexico, and Alonso Fernández, CEO at the Universidad Anáhuac México. Alyson Interactive.
In his intervention, Bishop Acero offered an ethical and humanistic vision of Artificial Intelligence, based on the magisterium of Pope Francis. The auxiliary bishop recalled that AI must be at the service of the common good and human dignity, and that it must respect the fundamental values of inclusion, transparency, security, equity, privacy and responsibility. He also invited journalists to act with responsibility, closeness and respect in the use of AI, and to be aware of the risks it may entail for freedom, truth and justice.
Mr. Fernández presented the AI tools used to generate and process text, audio and images in the field of journalism. The Artificial Intelligence expert showed examples of how AI can help journalists optimize their work, create more attractive content and access more diverse and reliable sources of information. However, he also warned of the limitations and biases that this reality can have, and of the need to verify and contrast the information generated by this technology.
Fernandez stressed that AI cannot replace or surpass human creativity, which is the differentiating and essential element of journalism. According to Fernandez, AI lacks purpose and fundamental sense of existence, and its algorithmic behavior is predefined by its creators in programming, without evolution considering all the variables of the universe. On the contrary, life, expressed through human creativity, is incomparable with AI, which is simply a tool in the great technological platform to enhance our capabilities. Fernandez highlighted the beauty of human creativity, a priceless jewel polished over the centuries.
The workshop concluded with a review by Javier Rodríguez Labastida, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Mexico, who stressed the importance of understanding AI as an evolving tool and of taking advantage of its benefits without losing sight of the values and principles that govern journalism. Finally, Osvaldo Moreno Sotelo, communications manager of Regnum Christi and advisor to the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Communication, thanked the journalists and reporters for their attendance and highlighted the value of their work in the search for truth and democracy in Latin America.
