Maharaja Media Hosts ABU Media & Culture Days Summit in Sri Lanka, Spotlighting AI in Media

COLOMBO (News 1st): The 2025 ABU Media & Culture Days Summit, held at Stein Studios in Ratmalana, brought together leading media leaders, policymakers, and innovators from Europe and the Asia-Pacific to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on global media.

Hosted by the Maharaja Media Network and the Capital Maharaja Group, the event marked the first time the prestigious summit was held in Sri Lanka. Themed “Risks, Challenges and Opportunities of AI for Media,” the discussions focused on the ethical, creative, and legal implications of AI in broadcasting and journalism.

The landmark summit was jointly organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the world’s largest broadcasting association, representing more than 250 members across 70 countries and regions on five continents, alongside Radio România, the Maharaja Media Network, and the Capital Maharaja Group.

Founded in 1964 as a not-for-profit, non-governmental, and non-political professional association, the ABU has grown into a media powerhouse in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. The Union provides its members with tailored capacity-building programs in news, sports, programming, and technology, fostering global collaboration and promoting responsible media innovation.

Opening the conference, Sashi Rajamahendran, Chairman of the Capital Maharaja Group, highlighted how AI is reshaping media production and consumption while cautioning against rising misinformation and ethical challenges. He stressed the growing responsibilities that media professionals must assume amid rapid technological change.

Delivering a keynote address, Himali Hettihelage, Acting Director General of the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka, called for updated copyright laws to protect creators in an AI-driven environment. She warned that without proper oversight, AI could undermine public trust and the integrity of journalism through deepfakes and misinformation.

ABU Secretary General Ahmed Nadeem announced the launch of the ABU AI Hub and ABU AI Principles, a framework designed to guide member broadcasters in adopting AI responsibly and ethically.

Chevaan Daniel, Group Director of the Capital Maharaja Group, offered insights into the political and social dimensions of AI, highlighting its connection to global power dynamics and material realities.

Representing Radio Romania, Dr. Dan Santa delivered a message from the President Director General, celebrating a decade of collaboration between Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Radio Romania also presented a commemorative plaque to Sashi Rajamahendran, Chairman of the Capital Maharaja Group.

The summit brought together representatives from 16 nations and featured expert panels on AI ethics, regulation, and innovation. Discussions underscored the importance of global collaboration, responsible technology adoption, and ethical leadership in shaping the future of media in the age of artificial intelligence. 

Story Written by Buddmin Amaradiwakara