Leaders from India’s newsrooms joined international experts in Bengaluru last week for WAN-IFRA’s AI in Media forum, outlining a business-led approach to artificial intelligence that pairs operational gains with tighter editorial controls.
The gathering reflects a shift in tone. Indian publishers are moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept, seeking measurable returns from AI while putting governance frameworks in place to protect credibility and public trust.
Avinash Mudaliar, co-founder and chief executive of HT Labs, opened the event by describing a market defined by abundance. An explosion of digital supply has eroded scarcity, he said, forcing publishers to rethink revenue models and over-the-top distribution in an environment where content is plentiful.
Subsequent panels translated that diagnosis into practical priorities: use AI to remove routine tasks from reporters, measure its impact across editorial, product and commercial teams, and ensure accountability remains central.
A leadership session brought together Sowbhagyalakshmi K.T of The Printers Mysore, Mukesh Sharma of Collective Newsroom, Tresa Sherin Morera of Thomson Reuters and Santhosh George Jacob of Manorama Online. Speakers described how AI is being embedded in editorial strategy without displacing journalists. Its value, they argued, lies in automating repetitive processes, surfacing leads and freeing reporters to focus on investigations and analysis that require human judgement.
Case studies underscored that blend of editorial and commercial application. WAN-IFRA presented examples from its AI Catalyst South Asia Cohort 2. The Hindu demonstrated AI-assisted coding workflows to streamline production. The Logical Indian showcased tools for fact-checking and verification, while Sakal Media Group outlined how AI-driven OCR supports advertising and sales intelligence. A pre-forum workshop allowed editors and developers to build customised newsroom tools, and a study tour visited local technology companies including NeuralGarage and CleverTap.
NeuralGarage, a Bengaluru-based generative AI company focused on audiovisual dubbing, was among those featured. According to its company profile, it has developed tools that synchronise dubbed audio with facial movements and has attracted attention on the global startup circuit.
Speakers placed the discussion within a broader national context. In October 2025, Google announced a multibillion-dollar commitment to build a major AI hub in Visakhapatnam, signalling increased global investment in India’s AI infrastructure. Such projects are reshaping the cloud and compute supply chain on which publishers increasingly depend.
The forum also addressed vendor relationships and control over data. International examples illustrated the range of approaches, including the collaboration between Fox News Media and Palantir to develop bespoke newsroom systems. Speakers noted that while large, profitable organisations can invest in tailored tools with strong intellectual property protections, clear internal policies are essential to avoid unintended editorial consequences.
Concerns about manipulated media surfaced repeatedly. Delegates pointed to advances in detection technologies, including Vastav.AI, a cloud-based deepfake detection system designed to identify AI-generated images, audio and video across languages. Robust verification processes, participants said, must accompany generative tools to preserve trust.
Training and governance emerged as twin priorities. The Associated Press’ mid-2025 course, AI in the Workplace, was cited as a model for building newsroom capability through short programmes that combine practical demonstrations with guidance on policy and integrity.
Organisers said further global events are planned under WAN-IFRA’s AI in Media initiative, which supports peer learning and applied workshops. The message from Bengaluru was that AI investment must deliver operational efficiency and commercial resilience, but always within transparent rules and human oversight that protect journalism’s public-interest role.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article was published on 2 March 2026, detailing events that occurred in late February 2026. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found. The information appears original and timely.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Avinash Mudaliar, Sowbhagyalakshmi K.T, Mukesh Sharma, Tresa Sherin Morera, Santhosh George Jacob, and Ezra Eeman are included. While these quotes are not independently verifiable online, the context suggests they are original to the event. The absence of earlier appearances of these quotes raises a minor concern about their verification.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The article originates from WAN-IFRA, a reputable organisation in the media industry. The content is consistent with WAN-IFRA’s mission and previous publications, indicating a high level of reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about AI adoption in newsrooms and the integration of AI into editorial strategies are plausible and align with current industry trends. The article provides specific examples and case studies, enhancing its credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article provides a timely and original account of the AI in Media Forum, with content that is plausible and consistent with industry trends. While some quotes cannot be independently verified, the overall reliability of the source and the detailed reporting support a high confidence in the content’s accuracy.
