Will artificial intelligence usher in a new wave in domestic journalism?

As part of the media event, a press tour was organized, during which participants became acquainted with the constructive work being carried out in the Navoi Region, as well as the activities of entrepreneurial entities contributing to the economic development of the leading industrial region of the republic.

The first stop on the media tour was a greenhouse complex belonging to LLC "Zarafshan Golden Group" located in the Karmaninsky District of the Navoi Region. Media representatives visited the agro-complex, where tomatoes and large-fruited strawberries of the Sabrina variety are grown on an area of 14.3 square meters. This affordable and high-quality vitamin product is sold on the domestic market, with 90 percent being exported to Russia and Kazakhstan. Currently, 180 jobs have been created.

- We have been developing this direction for the last six years, - says the complex manager, Mehriiddin Bozorov. - We started with growing tomatoes, increasing the varieties based on market demand. Soon, we will launch our eco-garden project, with a total cost of $4 million from credit and own funds of LLC "Zarafshan Golden Group." More than 900 tropical trees and over 25,000 plants will be planted on an area of 1.5 hectares. The future park will feature dining areas offering European and national cuisine, a children's playground, and recreational spaces for visitors of all ages. The eco-park is being constructed based on modern architecture, adhering to principles of ecological sustainability and nature conservation.

A promising direction for the agricultural sector's development in the upcoming year is the launch of a project for growing Duke blueberries, which Zarafshan Golden Group will fully fund from its own resources.

In 2024, LLC SP "BIOTECH RESEARCH and INNOVATION" established the only serpentarium and terrarium in Central Asia in the Navbakhor District, breeding over 10,000 snakes, 3,000 reptiles, and 20,000 spiders. By attracting foreign investments, a scientific and production complex has been created, which will function as a rehabilitation center for restoring offspring, a research vivarium, and a feed base, including the production of serum, studying species of reptiles that are endangered, as well as products of their vital activity, and the production of bioactive additives based on toxic substances, serum, and cosmetics.

As noted by the company's director Botir Faizov, the primary consumers of the produced serum will be the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Border Troops, and the Children's Health Camp in the Navoi Region, located in areas where snakes and reptiles naturally inhabit. The nursery will also help preserve the endangered species of snake - the cobra, which is listed in the Red Book. Preliminary agreements have been reached with foreign partners for the production of products used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Importantly, the Navoi Region has a significant number of snake, scorpion, and black widow species that have not been studied extensively. This is the main goal of the complex – to conduct scientific research in collaboration with zoologists and biologists from the republic.

Today, a modern building with a creative design for the regional library is being constructed in the "Yangi Navoi" town, the administrative center of the Navoi Region, which will accommodate 230 readers at a time. Notably, the construction plan includes creating conditions for reading enthusiasts with disabilities. The new library is designed to house 171,000 copies of scientific, artistic, and historical literature. Additionally, services will be available through an electronic library.

The main part of the seminar took place at the Youth Center of the regional capital. Participants were welcomed by the chairman of the Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan, Kholmurad Salimov, the press secretary and advisor on information policy to the Hokim of the Navoi Region, Shohira Raupbaeva, and the head of the Navoi Regional Branch of the Union, Otabek Aslonov. The keynote speech was delivered by the director of the NGO "Yangi Media Ta'lim Markazi," Doctor of Philological Sciences Beruniy Alimov.

- Artificial intelligence (AI) simplifies the execution of various tasks and enhances our productivity, - says B. Alimov. - Accelerated steps are being taken to develop modern media content for the internet using AI technologies, which are recognized as one of the most significant innovations of human civilization. Not only simple news texts are being prepared, but also in-depth analytical and scientific articles. Additionally, photo, video, and audio materials, infographics, and longreads are being created. Twenty to twenty-five years ago, when the internet first emerged, many people questioned its harm, but soon such concerns faded away. People realized that if the internet is used for the right purposes, it will only be beneficial. In other words, if used for good, it can benefit many people; conversely, it can cause significant harm. This perspective is directly related to modern information security, as a large or small false message generated by artificial intelligence can seriously harm individuals not only economically and financially but also morally. It is crucial to develop and implement new AI services aimed at identifying and analyzing content related to radicalization in popular messengers, on open websites, and in social networks. At the same time, it is necessary to identify information channels that exert a negative influence and put an end to their activities.

According to the speaker, to effectively address the new problems caused by AI, it is essential to ensure the authenticity of media content; critically evaluate any information, especially that which comes through various social networks, and to be extremely vigilant regarding information that may contain calls for radicalization and extremism.

Dilfuza Gulyamova.

Photo by Sergey Nikonенко.