MoI hosts discussion on role of radio in AI era

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Information (MoI), represented by the Directorate-General of Radio, on Thursday organised a panel discussion titled 'Radio and Artificial Intelligence' in celebration of World Radio Day, observed annually on February 13. The event took place at the Ministry of Information Theatre.
The panel brought together a distinguished group of academics, experts in media and technology, and media professionals from the Sultanate of Oman.
In his address, Yousuf bin Humaid al Yousfi, Director-General of Radio, said that this year’s World Radio Day commemoration is an invitation to rethink our relationship — as media professionals in general, and radio practitioners in particular — with these new technologies, and how they may be harnessed in service of our media mission, without radio losing its human dimension and unique character as a medium founded, first and foremost, on conscious voice, human conscience and responsible speech.
He added that in this context, artificial intelligence technologies present a genuine test of radio’s ability to preserve its identity in an era of digital transformation, noting that technology, however advanced, possesses neither ethical sensibility nor cultural awareness, nor the capacity to grasp the social and symbolic contexts within which media discourse operates.
The panel discussion addressed several themes related to the future of radio amid rapid transformations in the media sector and the growing role of artificial intelligence technologies in developing radio content, while emphasising the importance of preserving media identity, human dimension and professional values in radio work.
The session featured three panel discussions. The first, titled 'How Artificial Intelligence Can Assist Radio Without Losing Its Identity,' was presented by Prof Dr Wejdi al Zaghouani and moderated by media figure Salim al Amri. The second session discussed 'Artificial Intelligence in Arab Radio: Opportunities and Challenges,' presented by Dalia Haidar and moderated by media figure Kholoud al Alawi. The third session, titled 'The Reality of Employing Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Omani Radio,' was presented by Hamdan bin Ali al Badi and moderated by media figure Aisha al Hinai.
The panel witnessed rich discussions between the participants and the audience, centred around the ethical dimensions of using artificial intelligence technologies in radio broadcasting, and the importance of establishing clear regulatory frameworks that ensure the responsible use of these technologies — enhancing credibility, preserving intellectual property rights and protecting data privacy.
The discussion also addressed the role of academic institutions in preparing media professionals capable of efficiently handling AI tools, through the development of curricula and the introduction of specialised training programmes that combine media knowledge with technical skills.
Speakers emphasised that artificial intelligence serves as a supportive tool for radio work, not a substitute for the human element, stressing that the human voice and professional values will remain the fundamental pillars of radio content production.
This session is part of the Ministry of Information’s efforts to keep pace with technological developments in the media field and to foster professional discourse on the responsible employment of artificial intelligence, contributing to the development of radio performance and strengthening its role in building societal awareness, without compromising its human and media mission.
The panel discussion was attended by representatives from various radio stations operating in the Sultanate of Oman, along with radio professionals and enthusiasts.