Media students in the “race” with AI

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Artificial intelligence (AI) has been "dominating" many areas of life, including media. At many universities, it is not difficult to see students skillfully using tools such as ChatGPT, CanvaAI, Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, HeyGen, Runway... in group assignments or personal content production. AI is no longer a "supporting arm" but is gradually becoming a companion, helping students save time, optimize ideas and improve creative efficiency.

Students of the Academy of Journalism and Communication experience practical production of journalistic products.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Anh, a 4th-year student at the Institute of Journalism and Communication, Academy of Journalism and Communication, shared: “If before, it took me at least 3 to 4 days to plan a short video , now with AI support, from script to “rough editing”, it only takes about 1 day. I think the important thing when using AI is to know how to control and turn AI into a tool, not let it control you.”

AI is not only a creative tool, but also helps students practice professional skills. Many students use chatbots to simulate press interviews, practice writing headlines, create sample news articles, or edit content from many stylistic angles. Through that, the presence of AI helps students have more opportunities, update more knowledge in a richer and faster way.

However, AI not only brings benefits but also creates a lot of competitive pressure for media students. After the streamlining of press agencies, newsrooms and media companies are no longer recruiting as massively as before, and recruitment requirements are also increasing. Along with that, the explosion of social networks has completely changed the way users access information. This has created opportunities for AI tools to impact the wave of change in content production. Many newsrooms and media companies are increasingly applying AI to support editing, use virtual MCs, analyze user data or even create videos and animations. Therefore, if in the past, to become a reporter, students needed to write well and understand the news, today, journalism and media students are forced to be "good at their job", quick, and adaptable to technology. They even have to learn how to "collaborate" or "compete" with AI so as not to fall behind.

Nguyen Tuan Khai, a fourth-year student majoring in Multimedia Communications at Hong Duc University, said: “When I learned about the recruitment requirements of press agencies and especially media companies, I found that most of them emphasized that employees need to have multimedia content production skills, be proficient in photo and video editing technologies or AI, and be creative and flexible. That makes me feel quite pressured, but it is also the motivation for me to learn how to be more creative and sharper. We now not only have to master a skill but also be able to write, edit videos, distribute content on multiple platforms, and even understand user behavior analysis.”

Faced with the increasingly strong wave of technology development, journalism and communication training schools are quickly updating their curricula. In addition to traditional subjects, many schools have introduced digital skills and AI applications to students. In recent years, the application of digital technology and AI in the production of journalism and communication products has been given special attention by the Academy of Journalism and Communication in the training process. Associate Professor, Dr. Dinh Thi Thu Hang, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication, Academy of Journalism and Communication, said: "We have subjects and courses to supplement students and supplementary activities such as seminars and workshops so that students can interact and have the most contact with new technologies. The Academy of Journalism and Communication is pioneering the application of AI in teaching and learning journalism and communication, and the products that students in the school are making also apply AI technology at many different levels."

To meet the practical needs of the labor market, Hong Duc University has proactively connected with press agencies and media businesses in the province, creating conditions for students majoring in multimedia communications to study closely with practice.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dau Ba Thin, Vice Principal of Hong Duc University said: “Students have access to the professional environment through cooperation activities, internships, and invited lectures from experienced reporters and editors. In addition, the school regularly organizes specialized seminars with leading experts, helping students update new trends and improve their professional skills while still at school.”

Thanks to being trained in an advanced and creative educational environment, some young people and students have been able to build their own personal brands very early. They open youtube and tiktok channels to share their knowledge and experiences, make podcasts or review with the support of AI, attracting a lot of followers. However, the important thing is that they always keep their voice in the product, not letting AI obscure their creative personality. Besides, media students also need to cultivate professional ethics, especially when AI can create fake content and false information. Knowing how to verify sources of information and create honest and humane content is the "shield" for media workers to survive in the long term.

With the existing technology platform and the rapid update of the training system, Vietnamese media students can completely turn challenges into opportunities. AI will not be able to “steal jobs” if people know how to take advantage of it as a smart partner, a tool to expand capacity and a springboard to go further on the journey of unlimited creativity.

Article and photos: Phuong Do

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/sinh-vien-truyen-thong-nbsp-trong-cuoc-dua-voi-ai-254148.htm