A considerable attention from academia addressed the adoption and use of artificial intelligence in journalism especially between 2015 and 2022, confirming that AI is a source of innovation, and it has a great potential to influence and improve journalistic professional practices and routines (Marconi et al. 2017). It can be noted that the academic literature on this topic in the Middle East is still nascent despite the practical deployment of AI in the news industry (De-Lima-Santos and Ceron 2021). Drawing upon the notion of Human-Machine Communication framework, this study contribute to the advancement of knowledge about the use of artificial intelligence in journalism in the developing countries. Thus, this study particularly reflects upon the case of the Sultanate of Oman. It identifies the extent of, as well as the opportunities and challenges encountered, while using artificial intelligence technologies in the Omani newspapers. Thus, this study poses the following questions:

RQ1. What are the Omani journalists’ perceptions of AI-enabled machines in the role of communicator and the human-machine communication process?
RQ2. To what extent is AI being deployed in the Omani’s newspapers?
RQ3. What are the barriers that hinder the use of AI-enabled devices, programmes and automated journalism in the Omani newspaper industry?

To address these questions, questionnaires will be distributed to 200 journalists in the Sultanate. Therefore, this study might provide valuable information for the Ministry of Information in Oman, journalists, policy makers and stakeholders involved in digital transformation initiatives.

Authors:
Moza Al-Rawahi, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Moza Al-Rawahi is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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