Embracing the digital shift in the Greater Bay Area

A humanoid robot charms participants by making a heart sign during an interactive demonstration at UBTech Robotics’ headquarters in Shenzhen

Analysis

The media industry in Asia is standing at a pivotal crossroads. With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping how information is gathered, processed, and shared, media professionals are faced with both profound opportunities and formidable challenges. This duality was the central theme of the ASEAN Media Capacity Building Workshop, held in Hong Kong and Shenzhen from July 14–19.

Organized by the Chinese Mission to ASEAN and China Daily Asia Pacific, the week-long event brought together over 20 journalists from Southeast Asia to discuss the implications of AI and explore strategic approaches to digital transformation. Sessions focused on how AI enhances reporting speed and efficiency, while also underscoring the growing concern over the erosion of journalistic integrity when automation is left unchecked.

Participants grappled with questions of ethics, accuracy, and the irreplaceable human touch in storytelling. The consensus: while AI is a powerful tool, it must remain a servant – not a master – of journalism.

VietnamPlus reporter Doan Minh Anh captured this sentiment succinctly: “We must leverage AI rather than let it control us during reporting.” Her words echoed throughout the workshop, resonating with fellow participants who recognized the tension between innovation and responsibility.

Reframing the media’s AI challenge

In an age when algorithms often drive attention and engagement, the industry’s ability to adapt becomes not just a strategic decision, but an existential one. That urgency was lightened with a metaphor from Pholpat Salayakanond, a Thai journalist and editor at Autolifethailand, who compared learning to work with AI to mastering the use of chopsticks.

“At first, I struggled terribly,” he admitted, recalling his early efforts. But by thinking of the process as “playing a game” – treating each success as a small win – he overcame the challenge. For Salayakanond, this mindset is key to navigating AI transformation.

His metaphor highlights the importance of reframing technological disruption. Rather than approaching AI with fear, journalists should see it as a dynamic puzzle, one that invites exploration, innovation, and human creativity.

Zhong Zhen, managing director at Xiaohongshu’s Greater Bay Area E-commerce Operating Center, reinforced this mindset. He emphasized that media outlets must center their strategies around user preferences while preserving editorial credibility. “Content needs to resonate emotionally with users,” he said, pointing to Xiaohongshu’s RedNote platform as an example of emotionally driven engagement.

Audience-centered journalism in the AI era

RedNote became a recurring topic during the workshop. Participants examined its operational model and algorithm, discussing how audience-centric approaches are crucial for the relevance of traditional media.

Justin Clarence Lao Tembresa, CEO of Lannang Studios in the Philippines, emphasized that emotional connection is what distinguishes impactful content today. For traditional media to survive, he said, they must not only produce high-quality stories but infuse them with a human element that resonates with readers.

Tembresa urged legacy newsrooms to adopt modern platforms’ methods of engagement without compromising on journalistic standards. “To remain relevant, traditional media need to embrace technological advancements by strategically integrating the journalistic rigor with cutting-edge digital tools,” he said.

Doan Minh Anh also expressed hope that RedNote might expand to ASEAN nations. She believes its community-driven design, if localized, could enhance the media ecosystem in Southeast Asia by empowering local storytellers and engaging younger audiences more directly.

Experiencing the GBA

Beyond theoretical discussions and indoor sessions, the workshop also immersed journalists in the development realities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), particularly Hong Kong and Shenzhen. These visits gave participants a first-hand look at the synergy between innovation, governance, and ecological responsibility in China.

The delegation toured the Hong Kong Legislative Council, where members outlined how the “one country, two systems” model sustains Hong Kong’s legislative autonomy and regional stability. The group then visited Shenzhen, where they were impressed by the city’s clean environment, modern infrastructure, and integration of high technology.

For Soo Wern Jun, a senior journalist from Malay Mail, it was her first visit to Shenzhen – a city she had long heard about. “The city’s stunning cleanliness, abundant greenery, and vibrant energy have truly embodied the dynamism of China’s reform and opening-up,” she said.

One highlight was the Shenzhen Nanshan Energy Ecological Park, a project that blends industrial development with green practices. Cambodian editor Ben Sok Hean of Khmer Times saw the park as a model Cambodia could learn from, especially in combating plastic pollution. “This shows how cutting-edge innovation can address environmental challenges. I want to bring some of these ideas back home,” he said.

The field visits also included a stop at BYD headquarters, where journalists test-drove the company’s electric vehicles (EVs), including the Yangwang U8 and U9. These models feature a 360-degree rotation function that astonished many. “Unbelievable,” Ben exclaimed as he tried the U8’s in-place spin, a vivid display of China’s leading position in the EV sector.

These site visits deepened understanding of China’s dual commitment to green development and technological innovation – lessons ASEAN journalists were eager to explore and potentially apply in their home countries. MDT/China Daily, with reporting by Mike Gu

Key Takeaways

AI should assist, not replace, journalists
Workshop participants agreed that AI can accelerate reporting and improve workflow but must never replace human judgment, ethics, and creativity. Journalists must use AI as a tool, not a crutch.

User-centric content is the future
The success of platforms like RedNote highlights the importance of emotionally resonant, audience-driven storytelling. Traditional media must adapt content strategies to reflect user behavior and engagement trends.

ASEAN can learn from GBA’s innovation ecosystem
From green energy parks to electric vehicles and digital media platforms, the Greater Bay Area offers ASEAN nations practical examples of how to align governance, sustainability, and tech development in journalism.