Global media experts at the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing have launched a global initiative to establish Artificial Intelligence application standards in newsrooms. The experts have since called for joint international governance and digital safety guardrails in the…

Global media experts at the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing have launched a global initiative to establish Artificial Intelligence application standards in newsrooms.

The experts have since called for joint international governance and digital safety guardrails in the intelligent age.

The initiative, dubbed the Global Media Initiative for the Joint Development of AI Application Standards, aims to ensure responsible and trustworthy use of AI in journalism while safeguarding the credibility of professional media.

The summit, which took place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 ran under the theme “Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action,” and was jointly organised by Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.

It brought together nearly 500 media executives, politicians, think tank leaders, and delegates from the United Nations and other international bodies.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Li Shulei, attended the summit alongside host officials to outline global media cooperation strategies.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Yin Li, urged global news organisations to stand together in driving technological progress.

Mr Yin highlighted that the gathering coincides with the 95th Anniversary of Xinhua News Agency and noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the event.

“Media should bear social responsibility, foster peace, justice and democracy, and leverage new technology to advance human progress,” Mr Yin said.

He added that Beijing is ready to work with global media outlets to advance joint technological development and foster international exchanges.

And Xinhua News Agency President Fu Hua emphasised that AI enhances newsroom efficiency, diversifies storytelling, and streamlines workflows, but warned that technological adoption must come with strict verification.

“AI is able to enhance news productivity, diversify storytelling, and build intelligent media. However, AI calls for the erection of safety guardrails to ensure the credibility of professional media, “he added.

Mr Fu stressed that human editorial judgment and technology must work in tandem with AI to maintain public trust.

Addressing the assembly, United Nations Director General at the Office in Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, highlighted the need to bridge the digital divide that ensures that developing nations benefit equally from AI advancements.

Ms Valovaya stated that while AI helps break language barriers and speeds up news production, it poses severe risks in data privacy violations and algorithmic bias.

“The risks are too consequential to leave to individual countries, hence the need for joint international cooperation on media governance,” Ms Valovaya said.

She called on media entities to shift from mere dialogue to joint implementation.

Media experts and delegates at the summit underscored the need for verification mechanisms capable of tracing content origins to counter fake news and digital misinformation.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Agnes Nguna, also commended Xinhua News Agency for ensuring African media institutions are integrated into global technological advancements.

Ms Nguna praised China’s collaborative approach, stating that Xinhua News Agency has consistently treated African media organisations not as a case study, but as equal partners on the global stage.

Zambia took part in the summit and was represented by members of staff from led by Director Loyce Saili.

The department is positioning itself to be abreast with changing technological advancements in the media space for improved service delivery.

During his second term inaugural parliamentary speech, President Hakainde Hichilema encouraged the adoption of new technology in achieving the grow Zambia agenda.