Michael Hseah, Non-Resident Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation, recently spoke at the Media Summit 2026, at Crown Hotel, Port Moresby stressing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism and media.

Hseah opened his address by drawing a historical parallel, comparing the ongoing AI revolution to the Industrial Revolution 250 years ago.

“The Industrial Revolution made things by hand almost costless. The AI revolution is doing the same for things made by the mind, art, music, literature, filmmaking, software. The cost of production is approaching zero.”

Hseah stressed that this shift is particularly weighty for journalism, where the cost of producing words, images, and video content is rapidly falling.

His presentation also included a demonstration on the challenge of detecting fake content.

Hseah presented a series of images to the audience, asking them to identify which were real or fake.

In a surprising twist, he revealed that all of the images were fabricated, illustrating how easily even experienced observers could be misled.

He used this example to emphasize the importance of vigilance and critical thinking in journalism.

Hseah also addressed opportunities AI presents for media organizations.

Highlighting tools such as Google Pinpoint, he explained how AI can sift through massive datasets, analyze video and photographic content, and assist journalists in uncovering critical information.

He emphasized that such tools are increasingly available at low or no cost, potentially empowering journalists to report more efficiently and effectively.

Beyond tools, Hseah discussed the business side of journalism.

Drawing parallels with streaming platforms like Netflix, he noted that AI-driven content recommendation systems dramatically increase engagement, suggesting similar strategies could help journalistic organizations retain and expand audiences.

“Engagement is key. AI can help newsrooms deliver content that resonates with readers while maintaining journalistic integrity.”

Hseah concluded with a call for both vigilance and curiosity: by questioning what we know and using AI responsibly, journalists can navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era while preserving credibility and authenticity.