AI transforming content format, challenge is to maintain credibility: Times Group MD Vineet Jain

NEW DELHI, Aug 27: Artificial intelligence is transforming content formats, tailoring news according
to readers’ interests and allowing it to seamlessly transcend linguistic diversity, The Times Group
Managing Director Vineet Jain said here on Sunday.
Addressing Exchange4media’s NewsNext summit, he said as newer realms of broadcasting, digital
technology and artificial intelligence open up, the challenge would be to uphold ethical standards,
put out accurate information to maintain credibility and ensure that algorithms remain unbiased and
content trustworthy.
Jain said he firmly believed that editorial teams were the best self-regulators in safeguarding hard-
fought freedoms against external threats.
“Today, we stand on the threshold of a new chapter where innovation is our ally and truth our
guiding star. In this narrative, remember that the essence of news endures. We adapt, but our
purpose remains unaltered — to inform, inspire, and empower,” he said.
As the chief content architect of The Times Group, Jain said that he has been driven all along by the
core belief in democratising media and making news accessible to younger and mass audiences
using cutting-edge tools.
He also pointed out that he has always emphasised “prescriptive journalism”, whereby news entities
not just highlight and report issues, but also offer solutions.
Artificial intelligence is not about replacing tradition, but about amplifying it, Jain said.
“Imagine a world where news is tailored precisely to your interests, where data transforms into
insightful stories. AI fact-checks at lightning speed, guarding the truth. Language barriers crumble,
allowing news to seamlessly transcend linguistic diversity, an essential transformation for a country
like India with its multitude of languages and cultures,” he added.
Jain said that artificial intelligence was not only aiding journalists but also transforming content
formats with text and images morphing into videos, audio, and beyond even as virtual anchors make
an appearance.
“Visualise a newsroom where AI-generated visuals enhance storytelling, freeing journalists to delve
deeper. Chatbots engage with you directly, answering questions in real-time,” he added. (PTI)