Can Algorithms Replace Humans? Or Does AI Simply Amplify the Voice of Those Who Truly Master the Word?
These were some of the key questions explored at the media training session The Future of Content: Journalism in the Age of Generative AI, held recently in Astana. The event was organized by Huawei with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, DKnews.kz reports.
The training brought together representatives from Kazakhstan’s leading media outlets, IT professionals, communications experts, and specialists in digital transformation. At the heart of the discussions was the growing impact of generative artificial intelligence on journalism today - from technological solutions to ethical and psychological concerns.
The World is Changing - And So is Journalism
Opening the session, Rostislav Konyashkin, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, emphasized the rapid pace of change in the media landscape and the urgent need for journalists to adapt to new technological realities:
“Journalism is evolving at an incredible speed. The government’s role is to ensure that media professionals have access to the latest knowledge and technologies. It’s especially important to support communities that aim to report on IT and digital innovations in an accurate and informed way.”
According to Konyashkin, the state must act as a bridge between society and technology - particularly by supporting those who take on the responsibility of informing the public in an age of digital noise.
Huawei: Education and Trust as the Foundation for Stability
Sue Hai, Deputy General Director of Huawei Technologies Kazakhstan, echoed the call for responsible and thoughtful use of technology. He stressed that journalists play a key role in shaping digital culture:
“Huawei deeply respects the work of journalists and seeks to support the professional community through educational initiatives. Every year, we host events on pressing topics - from cybersecurity to emerging tech trends - because we believe that the higher the level of professionalism among journalists, the stronger and more resilient society becomes.”
Huawei has long worked with media professionals, offering access to knowledge and dialogue. The company firmly believes that strong media are the foundation of digital resilience.
AI as a Tool - or a Challenge?
One of the most compelling presentations came from economist and journalist Rakhim Oshakbayev, whose talk offered a thoughtful and emotionally resonant reflection on the evolving nature of newsroom practices. He spoke candidly about the benefits of AI - and also issued a warning against its uncritical use:
“We’ve witnessed AI become a powerful tool that’s transforming the journalist’s daily work. It helps process vast amounts of text, speeds up interview transcriptions, suggests headlines, and generates templated news articles. But behind all these functions is an algorithm. It doesn’t know what conscience, empathy, or tone mean.”
Oshakbayev underscored that no machine can replicate true human intonation, emotional nuance, or the depth of lived experience:
“The paradox is this: the more machine-generated content surrounds us, the more valuable authentic, human-created content becomes. AI won’t replace journalists. On the contrary, it will spotlight those who continue to write with heart - and readers will seek out those stories.”
His remarks drew enthusiastic applause and became one of the most quoted moments of the training.
5.5G and Mobile AI: Speed, Flexibility, and New Horizons
Dmitry Rubtsov, Huawei’s Product Manager for Wireless Technologies, focused on the practical applications of next-gen 5.5G networks. He emphasized how technical progress can dramatically streamline and improve journalists’ day-to-day work:
“5.5G networks enable near-instant data processing and transmission. This is crucial for journalists working in an environment saturated with information and under constant pressure to respond quickly. These technologies can simplify content creation and boost productivity in the digital news cycle.”
Rubtsov also highlighted the rise of mobile AI - on-device assistants capable of analyzing content, filtering data, and even suggesting editorial decisions on the fly.
Ethics First: Generative Models and Moral Responsibility
Anara Tulebayeva, Vice President of the Association for the Development of AI in Kazakhstan, shifted the focus to a crucial topic: ethics. As AI advances, so do the stakes surrounding its use - particularly in the realm of socially important information:
“It’s becoming increasingly important to monitor how and why generative models are being used. We need to talk about transparency, source verification, and protecting audiences from manipulative content. Ethics must lead the way ahead of technical innovation.”
Her speech served as a timely reminder that technology is merely a tool - not a moral compass. It is the journalist who bears responsibility for how that tool is used, and what consequences may follow.
Psychology, Overload, and Burnout: Staying Resilient in a Digital World
Wrapping up the event was Zhanel Sariyeva, an expert in emotional intelligence and communications. Her talk addressed perhaps the most human dimension of digital journalism: mental health.
“We live in an era where information overload is the norm. Journalists not only have to adapt but also preserve their emotional resilience. Learning how to disconnect, practice self-care, and set boundaries is now a vital skill.”
Sariyeva explained how stress, multitasking, and the nonstop news cycle contribute to burnout - and why the ability to withstand pressure is as important today as the ability to write or fact-check.
Education, Technology, and Trust: The Road to Digital Maturity
The Astana media training was yet another milestone in Huawei’s commitment to promoting digital literacy in the media sphere. The company regularly organizes educational events for journalists - not for appearances, but to genuinely strengthen the information landscape.
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Special attention is given to ethics, digital security, and helping journalists adapt to emerging technological realities. Organizers say that in times of rapid change, events like this become platforms of trust and knowledge-sharing. They empower media professionals to navigate the shifting world with confidence and deepen their understanding of IT and digital innovation.
Human Over Algorithm
The key takeaway from the Astana event can be summed up simply: artificial intelligence is here to stay. It’s already transforming the media industry, and its influence will only grow. But it’s the human voice - its values, tone, and responsibility - that makes journalism truly matter.
AI won’t replace journalists. It will only enhance the value of those who continue to write with soul. And those are the stories that readers will seek - today, tomorrow, and in any future we imagine.
