Revolutionising News Production: Thomson's workshop at Al Jazeera’s AI in Media Conference

The buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism reached a crescendo at the second edition of Al Jazeera’s "AI in Media Conference".

Bringing together global leaders in media and technology, the conference highlighted cutting-edge AI applications transforming newsrooms. Among the standout sessions was one led by Thomson’s media consultant Dean Arnett, titled “Revolutionising News Production: Using AI to Create Video Reports in 15 Minutes.”

In a packed room—so full it required a last-minute venue change—55 participants explored the unprecedented potential of AI-driven video editing tools. Dean’s masterclass showcased how AI has the power to condense hours of meticulous editing into mere minutes, revolutionising workflows for journalists and editors. Yet, the session wasn’t just about technology; it was a deep dive into the creative and ethical dimensions of AI’s role in news production.

"The session was a great opportunity to share practical insights with such an engaged audience," says Dean. "The level of interaction, the intensity of the questions, and the sheer turnout—requiring a last-minute room change—were incredibly encouraging, highlighting the growing interest in AI’s role in journalism."

'Unreal Dean' (the AI version of Dean Arnett) talks about the opportunities of AI Video Generation while the 'real' Dean delivers Thomson's workshop at the Al Jazeera 'AI in Media' Conference.

Balancing Efficiency and Ethics

AI’s transformative potential sparked an animated discussion on its limits and possibilities. "AI tools are being developed and improved every day, and the possibilities seem to be endless," says Meriem Bahri, Thomson’s Middle East and Africa Programme Manager. "But it is important to retain ethics, trust, and transparency in mind."

The session underscored the need to strike a balance between embracing efficiency and maintaining journalistic integrity. While AI can fill critical gaps in production, questions remain: Just because we can create a video report in 15 minutes, does it mean we should?

The Conference

The session was part of a two-day event in Doha, Qatar on January 11th and 12th 2025 that brought together leading names in media, including Microsoft, Google, Cisco, IBM and Al Jazeera, alongside academics and practitioners. Through a series of panels, workshops, and keynotes, the conference examined AI’s role in improving content accuracy, streamlining workflows, and presenting ethical challenges for journalists and newsrooms.

The conference underscored the critical need for collaboration between media organisations and technology companies to ensure that innovation aligns with core journalistic values.

Key objectives included:

• Enhancing news quality and accuracy through AI tools.
• Showcasing innovative applications in the media industry.
• Presenting successful case studies from global newsrooms like The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Reuters.
• Addressing legal and ethical challenges associated with AI use.
• Fostering dialogue on the impact of AI on journalists and audiences.

Why Talk about AI?

AI is no longer a distant possibility for journalism; it’s a transformative force shaping the industry today. With tools capable of processing vast datasets, analysing trends, and streamlining production processes, AI is revolutionising how news is created and delivered. However, as Dean Arnett’s session emphasised, the true power of AI lies not just in its capabilities but in how it is applied—with ethics, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity at the forefront.

For those who attended Dean’s session, it was more than a technical workshop—it was a thought-provoking exploration of AI’s potential and its implications for the future of news production. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to how it should be used.