New risks when journalists "expose AI
As an expert in the field of AI application in Vietnam, sharing with Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, Mr. Pham Tan Anh Vu - Head Representative of the Southern region, Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Solutions Joint Stock Company (VAIS) assessed that the digital environment is currently putting journalists in a situation that can be called comprehensive "AI exposure".
If previously, operational risks mainly came from obstacles at the scene, now threats have shifted to digital space with a much more sophisticated level.
Citing real evidence, Mr. Vu said that in the world, criminal organizations have appeared using AI to create "virtual identities", fake voices, fake images to approach, get acquainted with and provide false information to reporters, thereby affecting the operation process for bad purposes.
He emphasized that all these scenarios can happen because AI is fully capable of implementing it if the technology falls into the hands of individuals or organizations with poor motives.
Faced with the explosion of deepfake and forms of AI application fraud, Mr. Vu believes that technology only plays a role as a supportive filter. "The ultimate weapon of a journalist is experience, intuition and judgment," he said.
In fact, many scammers are building very sophisticated scenarios, using images created by AI to play the role of victims, exploiting journalists' compassion in order to create articles calling for support from the community.
In the journalism profession, this is a very straightforward measure, if judgment is right, there is a reward, if wrong, there must be a price to pay," Mr. Vu said. That price is not only an inaccurate article but also directly affects the reputation of the press agency and the writer.
Mr. Vu also noted that all AI platforms operate based on the principle of data collection. According to him, the common mistake today is that many people accidentally upload confidential interview recording files or unpublished investigation documents to public AI tools for quick processing.
This is no different from the act of voluntarily submitting information," he warned. He believes that most free AI tools today place servers abroad and do not have clear commitments about using, storing or sharing data. Therefore, the most important principle is to isolate data and use professional intuition to master technology.
AI cannot replace the responsibility and bravery of journalists
Besides the risks, Mr. Pham Tan Anh Vu believes that AI can completely become a "shield" to protect journalists if properly deployed and used on a secure internal data source.
According to him, in fraud cases or media manipulation campaigns, no matter how sophisticated the tricks are, these networks still leave many data traces. When combining the processing power of AI with professional intuition, editorial offices can build systems to support analysis and forecasting with performance far beyond each individual's ability.
AI can quickly compare information about a suspicious business or a business model with unusual signs with millions of archived records to detect suspicious points. This technology also supports data cross-checking, conflict detection and early warning, contributing to reducing the risk of press agencies accidentally becoming victims of dirty communication campaigns.
In addition, Mr. Vu believes that the development of artificial intelligence does not reduce the value of judgment, but on the contrary, makes this skill more important.
AI can cook a synthesis in 10 seconds, but it absolutely cannot be responsible to the law and conscience for those 10 seconds. AI does not have the ability to empathize with unfortunate fates, nor can it directly be present at the scene to witness and verify the truth," Mr. Pham Tan Anh Vu shared.
According to Mr. Vu, future readers will turn to the press to buy trust, expert perspectives and signatures that guarantee the responsibility of a person who truly understands reality. That understanding cannot be achieved in a day or two, but is the result of trips, experiences and lessons to pay the price in life.
In the midst of the technology storm, I want to send to young colleagues a philosophy of action condensed into 3 Cs for each story and situation. Accordingly, before starting, it is necessary to prepare carefully, when working, it is necessary to be meticulous, and when sitting and writing, it is necessary to be sincere.
Technology, no matter how breakthrough, is just a means, genuine journalism always starts and ends with truth and humanity," Mr. Pham Tan Anh Vu shared.
