The seventh Global Media Summit was inaugurated in the Chinese capital, Beijing, under the slogan "Media in the Age of Intelligence: From Consensus to Action," with the participation of approximately 500 representatives from nearly 330 media institutions, research centers, and government agencies from 112 countries and regions, alongside representatives from the United Nations and international organizations.
Xinhua News Agency reported that the summit, which will continue until tomorrow, Monday, is organized in cooperation with the Beijing Municipal Government and focuses on the rapid transformations occurring in the media sector due to advancements in artificial intelligence technologies, and the opportunities and challenges they pose for media institutions worldwide.
The opening ceremony featured official speeches by Chinese officials, while participants discussed the future of media work in the age of artificial intelligence, ways to enhance international cooperation, and expand access to modern technologies, emphasizing the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics and maintaining the credibility of news content.
Fu Hua, head of Xinhua News Agency, urged media institutions to share modern technologies, applications, and experiences related to the use of artificial intelligence and to work on reducing gaps in research, development, and knowledge, affirming the necessity of providing fair opportunities for all workers in the sector to benefit from these technologies.
In a move to promote international cooperation, the summit adopted the "Beijing Consensus," calling for a unified effort to support the digital transformation in the media industry and to promote the comprehensive and responsible use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that media institutions in different countries benefit from technological advancements.
The "Global Media Initiative for the Joint Development of Artificial Intelligence Standards" was also launched during the summit, with the participation of 22 media and professional institutions, aimed at establishing standards to ensure the credibility of information, protect data security, adhere to media ethics, and enhance public trust.
Participants in the initiative are scheduled to work over the next two years to develop a set of standards for the use of artificial intelligence in the media field, paving the way for their adoption by participating institutions, alongside a call to establish a global database for applications of these technologies.
Conversely, several participants warned of the risks of unregulated expansion in the use of artificial intelligence for news production, particularly the spread of misinformation and ethical violations, stressing the need to enhance transparency, verify information, and ensure that technology remains a supportive tool for journalistic work rather than a substitute for it.
It is noteworthy that the Global Media Summit was launched in 2009, becoming an international platform for exchange and cooperation among media institutions, with its previous session held in 2024 in the Chinese city of Urumqi.