DW Akademie, in cooperation with the Jordan Media Institute, organized a session titled “Fostering Inclusive AI Across MENA Perspectives From Independent Journalism as part of the 18th Annual ARIJ Forum, held in Amman, Jordan, from December 5–7, 2025. Featuring experts in media and technology, the session focused on the impact of generative AI tools on journalistic business models and the future of independent media organizations in the region.

The session hosted three speakers and media experts from Syria, Morocco, and Germany. The panelists discussed how AI is transforming into a primary intermediary between audiences and news content, especially with the growing reliance of younger users on tools like ChatGPT and AI-powered search summaries.

The experts highlighted how this shift reduces direct traffic to news websites and impacts the revenue of media institutions, particularly given the lack of clear mechanisms to compensate publishers for using their content to train models. This, in turn, raises significant legal and ethical challenges that remain unanswered.

Participants also reviewed study results indicating that the adoption of AI in the region remains non-systemic, often relying on individual initiatives. This occurs amidst challenges related to technical skills, funding, weak infrastructure, and lagging support for the Arabic language.

Mais Katt, Editor-in-Chief of the Women Who Won the War network and a media expert, spoke about the need to address fundamental challenges that predate AI in the Arab region, specifically in conflict zones. Journalists often lack computers or even basic internet access. She emphasized that “In conflict zones, the issue isn’t just about accessing AI tools; it’s about the ability of newsrooms to function at all. There are institutions still relying on pen and paper due to weak infrastructure, writing their reports and results in primitive ways.”

Ghassan Ben Cheheb, founder of the Sada platform in Morocco, warned of the consequences of relying on global models, stating “Total reliance on foreign AI models creates a risky dependency and may lead to the reshaping of local narratives from outside the region.”

Ghassan stressed the necessity of developing and controlling our own local tools, balancing that control with the preservation of press freedom and access to information. He noted that digital sovereignty is essential today, requiring the development of regional infrastructure, the building of Arabic datasets, and the integration of independent media into national AI policies to ensure it is not marginalized during the digital transformation.

Jenna Kleinwort, Project Manager at DW Akademie, pointed to the importance of practical alliances, adding “We need to build partnerships that stem from tangible problems and produce quickly applicable solutions to build trust and momentum.”

The session introduced the concept of “AI” as a framework for using technology within clear workflows, aiming to enhance journalistic production rather than replace it. Participants also discussed the need to develop newsrooms capable of integrating AI tools and preparing editorial leadership to manage this transformation.