On December 19, 2025, a roundtable on “Media and Peace Journalism in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” took place at the House of Friendship in Almaty. The event was organized on the initiative of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the support of the Muslim Council of Elders, the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, and the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development.
During the roundtable, Senate Deputy Darkhan Kydyrali read a greeting letter from the Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev. The letter emphasized the importance of correctly understanding the impact of artificial intelligence on the formation of language and narratives, as well as the need to promote mechanisms of peaceful communication capable of countering aggression on social media. Furthermore, Darkhan Kydyrali noted that peace journalism in Kazakhstan is not only a professional field but also an important tool for strengthening stability and public consensus. In his view, media responsibility and adherence to ethical principles are becoming especially relevant in the context of the widespread use of artificial intelligence.
The moderator of the event, Associate Professor Moldiyar Yergebekov from Nazarbayev University, noted that the current media landscape is dominated by news on wars and conflicts, while content devoted to peace and constructive dialogue remains insufficient. He emphasized that Kazakhstan consistently adheres to the principles of dialogue and consensus in both domestic and foreign policy, and therefore peace journalism should develop and implement concrete methodological approaches to fostering a language of peace.
Chairp of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, Gulsana Kozhabay, read a greeting from the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan — Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balayeva.
In her address, the Minister stressed that the roundtable on “Media and Peace Journalism in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” serves as an important platform to strengthen responsibility, humanitarian and ethical values in the information space, as well as contribute to youth education and societal stability. She concluded by wishing the participants a productive and meaningful discussion.
Following her address, the Chair of the Center noted that an international conference on the same theme is set to be held in Astana next year.
The Director of the Regional Office of the Muslim Council of Elders for Central Asia, Mohamed Elamin, shared his perspective, emphasizing the role of journalism in strengthening peace and noting that artificial intelligence should serve the development of dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than inciting hostility. He highlighted the shared responsibility of politicians, journalists, technologists, and religious leaders, expressing confidence that the roundtable would lead to concrete proposals.
Building on the theme of promoting a culture of peace, Senate Deputy Bibigul Zheksenbay emphasized that a language of peace cannot be formed solely through legislation – it must be rooted in public consciousness and everyday communication. Continuing the discussion on practical aspects of media, Yessengul Kapkyzy, Head of the Public Fund “Journalists Support Center ‘Minber’,” drew attention to the lack of clear editorial policies in approximately 90% of media outlets. According to her, this creates ethical and moral challenges, making the establishment of transparent editorial strategies in each media outlet extremely important.
Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aigul Saduakassova, noted that in the era of artificial intelligence, media are experiencing increasing pressure and responsibility. She emphasized the need to strengthen professional resilience and ethical immunity in journalism under current conditions.
During the roundtable, participants exchanged views on the role of artificial intelligence in the media space, information security, combating misinformation, and the mission of journalism in maintaining interethnic and interfaith harmony. Experts discussed the influence of algorithms and digital platforms on public consciousness and stressed the importance of integrating the principles of peace journalism with new technologies.
Special attention was given to cinema as one of the most in-demand and influential forms of peace journalism. Participants highlighted the need to integrate peace journalism criteria into script evaluation, present characters as multidimensional personalities rather than stereotype carriers, promote storylines in which conflicts are resolved through dialogue and transformation, strengthen media ethics in film education, and establish clear ethical codes regarding artificial intelligence.
During the event, speakers presented concrete proposals to enhance media literacy, train journalists to use artificial intelligence tools responsibly, and develop joint projects aimed at fostering a culture of dialogue and mutual respect in society.
Experts and journalists participating in the event stated that rapid technological changes and the implementation of artificial intelligence are transforming the media landscape, increasing the influence of digital platforms on public opinion. This, in turn, places higher demands on ethical standards, professional responsibility, and the resilience of the media community.
The issues raised and proposals developed during the roundtable are regarded as an important foundation for further work aimed at strengthening public cohesion and developing modern media culture in Kazakhstan.
