Becky Anderson: “Artificial Intelligence” is one of the basic tools in the media and may be a threat

Becky Anderson, anchor and editorial director at CNN Abu Dhabi, did not hide her concern about the negative effects of the use of artificial intelligence in the media, but on the other hand, she stressed that it may be one of the essential tools in the sector.

Anderson, one of the most present faces in the American global news channel in the region, told Asharq Al-Awsat in an interview with her: “Today, the media sector must adapt to the rapid changes that we are witnessing, such as artificial intelligence technologies and so on.” And she added, “Already, newsrooms are embracing this approach by using open source digital analytics tools to analyze images and data. And with the use of modern technologies, it has become possible, for example, to take a picture of a (telegraph) pole in a place, and our colleagues can determine its exact location by using the tools available to us in the newsroom.

Anderson explained that they have specialized staff who can analyze the videos and ensure their credibility and the correctness of the information they contain. The importance of this type of digital analysis comes from its ability to analyze the huge amount of available information and misleading information that is difficult to deal with, which makes it one of the basic tools in the media world to ensure the validity of information and analyze it.

Then she continued, saying: “Although artificial intelligence can analyze data and detect misleading information faster and more accurately than a human can do, there are many potential negative effects from its use in this sector. For me, deepfakes, hacking of social media accounts, and manipulation of images are some of the most serious threats, unless we address them, so we avoid their serious repercussions.

her practical experience

Becky Anderson described her experience at Bloomberg and CNBC as “wonderful”, and said: “It helped me develop my skills and learn the basics in the field. But when it comes to live television broadcasting, (CNN) has a proven track record in covering live events,” noting that what amazes her so far is “the enormous size of this pioneering brand … and the way it follows in developing and refining skills, in addition to The extensive experience of its field team in covering events. Hence, she added, “We often collaborate with engineers and photojournalists who developed their skills in conflict zones or other harsh environments, and therefore these professionals are less likely to be affected by small problems.”

Anderson continued: “This experience is reflected in the way we work in the studio and how we present live TV broadcasts around the world, as we use it to move between stories, locations and reporters smoothly and with high accuracy … I believe that the culture of entrepreneurship that Ted Turner established at (CNN) That) remains firmly rooted, and this is evident in the Foundation’s enduring commitment to work with enthusiasm to uncover and tell important stories.

sexy coverage

On the other hand, the editor-in-chief of “CNN” in Abu Dhabi and its brilliant broadcaster stated that she had “the opportunity to cover many major events and important stories, including the important events that took place in the region, as I benefited a lot from all these experiences.” She said, “I certainly learned an important lesson in the world of journalism, which is that some of the biggest stories come from ordinary people who are affected by what is going on around them in the world… Oftentimes, ordinary people can be the real heroes while covering events.” Anderson elaborated: “For example, in the event of a natural disaster, it could be the exhausted rescue worker working tirelessly to save lives who is the true hero of the story, or the father trying to find his daughter in the midst of the devastation could be the person who inspires and leaves an impact on us.” Our souls. And really, reporters are looking for the people behind the stories who play a crucial role in shaping the events.”

Here, Anderson referred to “militants in Ukraine improvising using drones to spot and attack advanced Russian tanks, the elderly couple who refuse to leave their home despite the constant bombing, as well as the aid worker who crosses the border every day in his truck…these are all real heroes, those Small stories support the bigger picture and enhance understanding of events and issues that matter to people.”

CNN performance.

Regarding CNN’s performance in the Middle East and the Gulf, Becky Anderson said: “This type of question includes many possible answers, but we can talk about a wonderful interaction by the audience with the (CNN) platforms.” This is evident, especially, on social media platforms, through the stories and interviews that we present on TV and our digital platforms in both English and Arabic… These platforms are major destinations for news in the region and the world alike. She added, “We care a lot about the news of the region, and we believe that we tell its stories well … This is not just talk, but rather a tangible and real reality, whether it is in my program, or in the programs of my colleagues Christian Amanpour, Richard Quest, Esa Soares and Julia Chatterley, which cover a lot From the political and economic aspects, as well as current affairs and current events, and sports that receive wide interest in the region ».

Anderson then touched on the existence of another important factor that some sometimes ignore, which is “the vital importance of having a local perspective in covering current events in different regions of the world.” “For example, in the story of Ukraine, the perspective from this region is different from that of Europe, the United States, Asia or Africa,” she explained. It is therefore important to consider the presence of this factor as part of our coverage of events. These may not be the only metrics used for evaluation, but they play a major role in understanding and evaluating performance.

«Connect the World»

Regarding the topics covered by the “Connect the World” program with Becky Anderson, she said, “The great diversity of topics and stories that we cover is the most important thing that distinguishes the program and makes it interesting for viewers. We have a large team working hard on the success of the program, and thanks to that diversity, I can interview leaders of countries one moment, stars in the world of sports the next… and I can talk to many entrepreneurs, activists, scientists, filmmakers, and so on. Moreover, the program lasts two hours, which gives us enough time to focus on urgent and changing news stories, and dive into the most complex issues, as well as highlighting different aspects of the stories that require a lot of explanation, analysis and discussion.

Then we asked Becky Anderson a set of questions as follows:

Quick questions

* What success in your career?

– “My strong belief is that success is a combination of hard work and luck, and the harder you work, the better your chances will be. I believed in this mantra for a long time, and noticed that the successful people I met and interviewed were working and having fun at the same time. Talent is important, of course, but it is not enough. Dedication to work is the only way to achieve success.

* What are the main challenges you faced?

– «Our work may be stressful on an emotional level, as some difficult stories and events can leave a deep impact on us. Even though I go back to my hotel room or home after work, the suffering of the people in the stories we cover touches me. After my recent visit to Turkey following the devastating earthquake that occurred there, I fully understood the difficulties my colleagues faced in covering such difficult stories… This kind of event can be very stressful, but one has to relieve pressure on oneself, and it is very important to maintain this balance. Between work and personal life, for his benefit and for the benefit of the people he loves.

What about your most important achievements?

– «I was very fortunate, as I had the opportunity to meet some of my favorite personalities, and I also conducted many interviews with some political leaders in historical and decisive moments, and I witnessed humanity at its best and at its worst at the same time, and I traveled to more than 100 countries and saw a number of One of the most extraordinary scenes in the world.

Is there any advice you would give to the new generation?

– «Yes, dedication to work and refusal to give in to failure… Do not let failure discourage you, but rather use it as an opportunity for growth and development. Also, it is important that you pursue your dream and strive to achieve it, but you have to be flexible and learn from the challenges you may face… Of course, expanding your knowledge and developing your skills.

* What about your hobbies?

– «I love to travel and make sure to visit places that give me comfort and relaxation… If I have the opportunity, I prefer to spend some time on one of the deserted beaches in Mexico or Brazil and enjoy the tranquility. In addition to my passion for travel, sports are one of my favorite hobbies. I love playing tennis, and exploring the waterways surrounding Abu Dhabi is one of the activities that I like to do to relax and get away from the noise. In addition to all that, I am a fan of London Football Club Hotspur, but it can be stressful watching your favorite team’s matches at times, so I decided to stay away from that for the time being.