Bulgarian News Agency Chief Says AI Cannot Replace Human Beings

Mr. Kiril Valchev, Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can never replace God’s creation – the human being.

Valchev made this declaration at the Association of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE) conference in Istanbul, which preceded the organization’s 32nd General Assembly.

Speaking at the conference, themed “Navigating AI and Media,” Valchev emphasized that while AI may be useful, it cannot substitute the natural human connection in communication.

He noted, “It is unimaginable for computers to predict the decisions and emotions of people in a forum like ABNA-SE, especially in the Balkans, where human emotions have always been at the heart of decision-making.”

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He acknowledged that AI could accelerate certain tasks in professions like journalism by processing large databases more efficiently.

However, Valchev maintained that AI could never replace the role of a live reporter at a news scene, as it relies solely on pre-existing data and cannot cover real-time events.

“AI can assist journalists but cannot replace them. New technologies are meant to complement, not substitute, human presence in the field,” he said.

Valchev outlined several potential uses of AI in the news media, such as selecting key stories, aiding in language translation for news agencies, and facilitating multimedia reporting across different formats like text, video, and audio.

He also noted AI’s potential in managing social media presence and improving news agencies’ databases.

Despite the growing influence of AI, Valchev stressed the importance of prioritizing the development of human intelligence, as AI should only be a tool to enhance journalists’ work.

He concluded by praising ABNA-SE for its progress, including the recent legal registration in Sofia and the addition of Italy’s news agency as a member in 2023, with efforts underway to include Serbia and Moldova.

Turkiye’s Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacir, and ABNA-SE President Serdar Karagoz, who is also Director General of Anadolu Agency, were also present at the conference.