Embed values of humanity to stay ahead of AI, journalists told

KUCHING (July 3): Journalists, content creators and digital influencers must uphold and embed values of humanity in their work to safeguard society from the risks of dehumanisation brought by advancing technologies, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol.

The Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communication Unit) stressed that the essence of humanity must be preserved in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.

“I would like to encourage our journalists, reporters — whether certified or not — Facebookers, TikTokers, and the like, to embed within themselves the spirit and values of humanity.

“Distance your souls from hatred and such. That is what will differentiate us from whatever technology we may see in the future — it is our human values,” he said during the closing of the Sarawak Media Conference (SMeC) 2025 here today.

Abdullah, who is also the organising chairman of SMeC 2025, emphasised that while embracing innovation is crucial, it must not come at the cost of empathy, ethics, and human connection.

He reflected on the importance of emotional understanding and cultural sensitivity, noting that Malaysia’s diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, and language is something that AI, now or perhaps ever, may never fully comprehend.

He also recalled a conversation with the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, who once asked him when he had last taken his children for a picnic—a question he described as a metaphor for the fading sense of personal connection in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.

Abdullah pointed out that rural connectivity and digital literacy remain significant challenges in Sarawak’s digital journey.

“We are talking about AI, but some areas still have no internet. There are towers, but they’re not functioning,” he said.

“We must reduce the information gap, the understanding gap, and the awareness gap between what the government aims to do and what the people experience.”

He also called for more discussions on the economic impact of AI adoption on the public and media professionals, pointing out the rising costs of digital tools.

“Reporters told me they have to pay RM90 or RM300 a month for apps that help with their work, and yet the company doesn’t cover it.

“We need to factor in these hidden costs when we talk about embracing new technologies,” he said.

Abdullah added that future initiatives should include policymakers, regulators, and legal experts to explore digital governance and AI regulation in greater depth.

He concluded by thanking organisers and volunteers from the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) and Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak, expressing hope for continued collaboration in advancing Sarawak’s digital agenda.