A roundtable organized by the Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) and The Daily Star, with support from UNDP, brought together journalists, academics, media executives, and international organizations to discuss the growing use of artificial intelligence in Bangladesh's news industry.

Participants agreed that AI is already being used in newsrooms for translation, content generation, research, data analysis, verification, and audience engagement, but significant gaps remain in training, oversight, and institutional policies.Speakers emphasized that AI should be treated as a tool that enhances journalism rather than replaces journalists.

Many participants stressed the importance of maintaining human supervision over AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, credibility, and adherence to journalistic ethics.

Concerns were raised about misinformation, hallucinations, algorithmic bias, propaganda, and the potential erosion of public trust if AI is used irresponsibly.

Several contributors argued that existing journalistic ethics should govern AI use, while others supported the creation of explicit AI-related guidelines and stronger self-regulation within media organizations.Transparency and disclosure of AI-assisted content were repeatedly highlighted as important mechanisms for maintaining audience trust.

Participants also called for investments in AI literacy, newsroom training, and technical expertise to help journalists understand both the benefits and limitations of emerging technologies.The discussion also addressed future challenges, including agentic AI, digital governance, data protection, and the spread of disinformation.

Representatives from UNESCO, UNDP, academia, and major media organizations agreed that collaborative efforts involving media, government, civil society, and educational institutions are needed to develop responsible AI practices.

The overall conclusion was that ethical standards, continuous learning, and human judgment must remain central as AI becomes increasingly integrated into journalism.