Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a vital role in performing the jobs of journalists in the future, according to BTA Director General Kiril Valchev.

At a recent conference on “Navigating the AI and Media” initiated by the Association of Balkan News Agencies- Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) in Istanbul, Valchez, however, clarified that AI could never replace the natural communication among people.

He asked the participants to imagine having computers at a future ABNA-SE General Assembly, trying to calculate what the heads of news agencies would say or how they would vote.

“While that may be possible in some other part of the world, it is inconceivable in the Balkans where life has always been guided by living human emotions,” according to him.

It is also unimaginable to replace God’s creation, he added.

The BTA head said AI could aid professionals, including journalists, to ease their jobs, especially when dealing with large databases as it saves time.

“It is important, however, to note that AI cannot replace a live reporter on the scene, since AI works with previously accumulated knowledge but cannot cover live news. New technologies can only complement journalists, not replace them,” said Valchez. (BTA)