Somalia Explores AI Opportunities for Media Modernisation at Beijing Summit

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BEIJING: Somalia is exploring how artificial intelligence could support the modernization of its state media institutions as the country’s information minister and senior media officials participate in the seventh World Media Summit in Beijing.

The summit has brought together nearly 500 representatives from about 330 media organizations, think tanks, government departments and international institutions across 112 countries and regions to discuss the impact of emerging technologies on journalism and global communication.

A major highlight has been the unveiling of two bionic humanoid robot news anchors developed by China’s Xinhua News Agency in partnership with robotics company UBTECH.

Named Xinyan and Xinyu, the human-sized robots were introduced during a forum on artificial intelligence and Chinese modernisation. Their visual design was led by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, while their broadcasting capabilities are powered by Xinhua’s AI news information system and UBTECH’s robotics technology.

Xinhua says the robots are designed to assist newsroom operations through news presentation, multilingual delivery and live interaction. The agency’s New Media Centre director, Qian Tong, described them as a new type of newsroom worker rather than a replacement for human journalists.

The demonstration attracted interest from Somalia’s delegation, which included Strategic Communication Director Abdishakur Ali Ahmed, Somali National Television Director Mohamedkafi Sheikh Abukar and Somali National News Agency Director Ismail Mukhtar Omar.

Abdishakur said the technology illustrated the rapid transformation of journalism but stressed that its adoption in Somalia should reflect local languages, audiences and public information needs.

He said innovation should support journalists’ work, with accuracy, human judgement and public trust remaining central to news production.

Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdifatah Kasim Mohamud, is also attending the summit, where he is expected to address discussions on the changing global media landscape, emerging opportunities and challenges, and efforts to develop Somalia’s media sector.

On the sidelines of the gathering, the minister held meetings with Xinhua President Fu Hua and TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov, discussing engagement with the leadership of the two major international news agencies.

The summit, running from November 5 to 9 under the theme Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action, is examining how artificial intelligence can transform news gathering, production and distribution while addressing concerns over misinformation, credibility and the responsible use of technology.

The discussions come as Somalia’s state media organizations face the challenge of expanding their digital reach, improving production capacity and adapting to changing audience habits. The use of AI could offer new tools for translation, content production and news distribution, although questions around editorial oversight, verification and the reliability of automated content remain central to its adoption.

The summit provides an opportunity for Somali media officials to exchange experience with international news organisations and explore partnerships that could support the country’s media development.