Wan-Ifra’s second edition of its Bangalore AI Forum took place on 19-20 February 2025, bringing together media executives from nearly 20 publishing companies to explore the latest advancements, trends, and applications of artificial intelligence in the media industry.
A two-day AI Study Tour followed the forum to four leading companies – Kuku FM, Dashtoon, Dailyhunt, and Reuters, Wan-Ifra reported.
As the global technology landscape rapidly evolves, Indian publishers are moving beyond cautious adoption toward active implementation of AI-driven solutions. This summit provided a crucial platform for media leaders to share experiences, strategies, and insights into AI’s growing role in the news media business.
AI’s growing role in media
The two-day summit featured journalists, leaders, and AI experts from top newsrooms such as Times Internet, The Hindu, BBC, The Quint, Reuters, Amar Ujala, and Dailyhunt.
The keynote address on Day 1 was delivered by Puneet Gupt, COO, Times Internet, who highlighted how the newsroom is becoming an AI-first organization to drive in-house initiatives and growth.
“AI isn’t just a tool – it’s a fundamental shift in how we operate. It’s allowing us to predict trends, optimize workflows, and personalise user experiences at a scale that was unimaginable before,” Gupt said.
By leveraging AI to process millions of user interactions monthly, Times Internet has dramatically improved audience segmentation, achieving 80 per cent cost savings while enhancing CPMs through better data classification.
Other Day 1 discussions explored Classic AI vs. Generative AI, AI-enabled fact-checking, AI-generated search, and the ethical considerations of navigating AI in newsrooms. An editor’s panel featuring Shelly Walia of the The Quint, Shashank Chouhan of BBC Indian Languages and Subhash Rai of the The Hindu Group, moderated by Kanchan Kaur, professor, Manipal Academy, examined AI’s growing influence on editorial strategies.
On Day 2, conversations centred on emerging “fluid” editorial formats, reshaping storytelling and creating dynamic reader experiences.
“We have moved from AI as a specialised tool to shaping every aspect of the global news industry. In the conference’s closing session, Ezra Eeman, AI Expert, NPO, Netherlands, noted that the next wave of media will be fluid, meaning creations will become dynamic rather than fixed.
However, he also emphasized the importance of balancing AI automation with editorial integrity. “We should really be careful in replacing authentic voices and real intent of storytelling with something that just saves time. It’s about balancing newsroom autonomy with AI agents and deciding between optimizing current processes or embracing new ones.”
A panel discussion featuring Ravanan N, executive director, Dailyhunt | CEO – Oneindia, Mariam Mammen Mathew, CEO, Manorama Online, and Mayura Shreyams Kumar, director – Digital Business, Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing, chaired by Krishnaprasad, journalist, focused on AI’s strategic priorities, adoption challenges, and the balance between investments and long-term value creation.
“AI is the future, no doubt. But we must guard against mediocrity and ensure that brands don’t fall into a pool of sameness,” Mathew stressed.
Study tour Insights
Following the forum, the two-day AI Study Tour provided an in-depth look at AI applications in publishing. Participants visited Dashtoon, Kuku FM, Dailyhunt, and Reuters, where they explored how AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) are revolutionizing storytelling, audio/video production, fact-checking, revenue models, and product innovation.
The Bangalore Forum is part of a series of initiatives undertaken by Wan-Ifra to assist its members in harnessing AI for innovation and growth, ensuring they remain at the forefront of this rapidly changing environment.
First published on Wan-Ifra on 24 February 2025
