The training was organised within the framework of the MATRA-supported project “Enhancing Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Resilience in Albania’s ICT Transformation” and forms part of BIRN Albania’s broader efforts to support journalists in navigating the rapidly evolving digital environment and reporting on emerging technological challenges affecting democratic societies.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into public administration, business, media and everyday life, journalists face growing demands to understand how these technologies function, who develops and regulates them, and what risks and opportunities they create for citizens. At the same time, the expansion of surveillance capabilities and digital monitoring tools has raised important questions related to privacy, data protection, accountability and fundamental rights.
The sessions were led by Aleksandar Manasiev of NarrativAI and Aleksa Tesic of BIRN Serbia.
Manasiev focused on the development of artificial intelligence and the key issues journalists should understand when reporting on AI. Participants explored practical approaches to covering AI-related stories, including how to identify relevant actors, assess ethical and societal implications, understand regulatory developments and examine the impact of AI systems on different communities. The training also included practical guidance on the responsible and transparent use of AI tools in journalistic work.
Tesic introduced participants to recent developments in surveillance technologies, digital threats and monitoring practices. Through practical examples and case studies, journalists examined how surveillance tools are increasingly intersecting with issues of cybersecurity, human rights, privacy and media freedom, as well as how these topics can be investigated and reported in the public interest.
The training also provided a space for participants to discuss story ideas and reporting opportunities related to artificial intelligence, surveillance technologies and digital rights in Albania. As part of the project, participants will be invited to apply for a forthcoming BIRN Albania call for investigative story proposals focusing on the societal impact of emerging technologies, digital governance and information integrity.
By strengthening journalists’ understanding of these rapidly evolving issues, BIRN Albania aims to contribute to more informed public debate, greater accountability and stronger resilience against the risks associated with technological transformation.