THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

SAMBALPUR, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

 “Artificial Intelligence is not here to replace journalists; it is here to strengthen their efficiency, accuracy and ethical decision-making in the digital ecosystem,” advised Dr. Manish Kumar Jaisal while delivering a special lecture on “Use of Artificial Intelligence in Media Industry” at Odisha State Open University (OSOU), Sambalpur. He urged students to embrace AI as a collaborative tool that enhances professional capabilities rather than viewing it as a threat to journalism careers.

The online lecture was organized by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of OSOU under the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shyam Sundar Pattnaik, who has been consistently steering the University towards becoming a Digital University. Prof. Pattnaik continues to inspire both students and faculty members to achieve digital empowerment by adopting emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Digital Twins, Artificial Intelligence, and by cultivating essential soft skills to remain future-ready in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Dr. Manish Kumar Jaisal, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at ITM University, Gwalior, and a Google Certified Trainer, served as the resource person for the session. The lecture aimed at familiarizing learners with the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on contemporary media practices and the expanding professional opportunities emerging in the AI-driven communication ecosystem.

Elaborating on the subject, Dr. Jaisal explained how AI is revolutionizing journalism through automated news production, data-driven investigative reporting, audience behavior analytics, personalized content delivery, AI-powered video editing tools, and advanced fact-checking technologies. He highlighted that AI-assisted tools are enabling media professionals to process large datasets, verify information swiftly, and produce multimedia content with greater precision and efficiency. At the same time, he emphasized the critical importance of ethical AI usage, transparency, and responsible automation in maintaining credibility and public trust in media institutions.

A key highlight of the lecture was the discussion on ADiRA – AI for Digital Readiness & Advancement, an initiative spearheaded by Data LEADS. Dr. Jaisal informed participants that ADiRA offers practical AI training programmes for healthcare practitioners and media professionals across India. The initiative focuses on enhancing technological adoption, operational efficiency, and future preparedness through hands-on exposure to AI tools, automation strategies, digital storytelling techniques, data literacy, and ethical AI practices. He encouraged students to actively explore such platforms to remain competitive in the evolving job market.

The programme was coordinated by Dr. Guru Saran Lal, who underlined the growing significance of Artificial Intelligence in journalism education and professional media practice. He stressed that AI literacy has become an essential competency for aspiring journalists in today’s digital-first environment.

Dr. Telaram Meher, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at OSOU, delivered the welcome address and emphasized the urgent need to integrate Artificial Intelligence into media curricula, research initiatives, and skill development programmes. He noted that equipping students with technological expertise would enhance their employability and enable them to adapt confidently to the digital transformation of the media industry.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, who engaged actively in the interactive discussion. Participants raised thoughtful questions regarding emerging career opportunities in AI-driven journalism, the scope of automation in newsrooms, and the ethical challenges associated with algorithmic content generation and misinformation management.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Sheetal Purnima, who expressed sincere appreciation to the resource person, university authorities, faculty members, and students for their valuable participation and cooperation in making the special lecture both insightful and impactful.