Doha, February 12 (QNA) - Qatar Radio joins the world in celebrating World Radio Day, which falls on Feb. 13 of each year. This year, the celebration is held under the theme "Radio and Artificial Intelligence."

In this regard, Director of Qatar Radio, Mohammed Nasser Al Mohannadi, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) in an exclusive interview, that Qatar Radio, with all its operating stations, celebrates this international occasion, which represents an important opportunity to remind everyone of the vital role that radio plays in serving the community, highlighting its diversity and uniqueness, and shedding light on the creative efforts made by its employees to improve program content.

He stressed that the World Radio Day's theme for 2026 is consistent with Qatar Radio's vision, which deals with digital transformation as a well-considered strategic opportunity, within clear ethical and professional frameworks, noting that World Radio Day is a global occasion that calls for reflection on the status of radio and its far-reaching influence.

Qatar Radio prepared for this occasion early by preparing a package of live and recorded programs, in addition to short flashes that reinforce its core message and highlight its importance, no matter what challenge it faces, Al Mohannadi noted, stressing that the celebration is not limited to the symbolic nature, but reflects a practical commitment to developing performance and keeping pace with the rapid transformations in the media landscape.

Director of Qatar Radio also said that this year's theme reflects the rapid technological advancement across various media platforms, affirming that Qatar Radio does not view AI as a challenge to be confronted, but rather as a valuable opportunity to be seized to develop new ideas and visions that align with its ambitious goals.

He pointed out that Qatar Media Corporation has provided all the necessary resources to enable the radio station to fully utilize these technologies, recognizing them as the language of the present and future, with the aim of developing innovative policies and strategies that enhance the role of radio and support its growth.

Al Mohannadi highlighted that Qatar Radio has taken practical and serious steps since the emergence of AI technologies, including the establishment of a team of promising young Qataris interested in modern technologies. This team was trained at the highest level through intensive workshops, resulting in the production of a number of ideas within the framework of experimentation, to find the best ways to contribute to the development of software production in all its forms using AI, he continued.

Director of Qatar Radio also told QNA that the Radio has dedicated many of its programs to celebrating World Radio Day, producing documentaries that address the history of radio as well as its role and the importance of this occasion, in addition to programs dedicated to this year's theme, "Radio and Artificial Intelligence."

Director of Qatar Radio, Mohammed Nasser Al Mohannadi affirmed that, through its programming, the station actively highlights the importance of utilizing modern technologies, including AI, to support Qatar's ministries and institutions' strides in this field and how these emerging technologies are used in ways that benefit the public.

As an integral part of the community, Qatar Radio combines traditional and modern broadcasting tools to deliver educational content aimed at raising awareness about the importance of technology and its role in serving the community. This approach has led to a significant increase in listeners. The growth has placed a greater responsibility on the station to continue evolving its efforts, he said.

Al Mohannadi emphasized that AI's use extends beyond audio production and has applications to enhance broadcasting capabilities through smart technologies, sound quality, and real-time translation, which broadens horizons for global reach to support news bulletins, reports, weather forecasts, and more.

He explained that these tools streamline radio production in a way that allows more focus on the analytical and creative aspects, which remain essential, stressing that the integration of AI in media production is done according to clear regulations and ethical charters, with direct human oversight maintained to preserve the cultural and social heritage and ensure the quality and credibility of the content.

He pointed out that Qatar Radio remains in the planning and development phase of expanding its AI initiatives. Among its recent projects is a program produced entirely using artificial intelligence. The project yielded notable results following multiple trials. AI-generated music tailored to the program's concept was also developed, alongside experiments in drama production and translation. The station has further utilized advanced technologies to create accessible programming for people with disabilities and to produce graphics and videos for digital platforms. Beyond content creation, AI has been deployed across affiliated radio stations to manage, process, and analyze data, with broader applications expected in the near future, he added.

Addressing the broader technological revolution, Al Mohannadi described AI as a simulation of human intelligence that often relies on human-generated content. This reality, he said, necessitates a careful overview to ensure its compatibility with Qatar's culture, traditions, and values.

He underscored the importance of comprehensive awareness, binding ethical guidelines, and regulatory frameworks, particularly for official broadcasters whose mission is based on accuracy, transparency, and clarity, and in avoiding misinformation, bias, or rumors.

Al Mohannadi also reaffirmed Qatar Radio's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Arab radio stations at regional and international levels through program exchanges and joint live broadcasts during major events. Such collaboration, he noted, enriches content and diversifies opinions.

Director of Qatar Radio highlighted UNESCO's initiative this year, which offers free remote training for broadcasters on the use of AI in program production, in alignment with this year's theme. He affirmed that radio, despite the challenges it has faced throughout its history, has been able to overcome them thanks to its staff's dedication to maintaining core principles such as speed, accuracy, and credibility, and a human-centered approach grounded in national and humanitarian values.

Looking ahead, Al Mohannadi expressed confidence in the promising future of radio through preserving its distinctive qualities while embracing digital technologies and AI within a responsible, ethical framework. He extended his appreciation to all employees of Qatar Radio and its affiliated stations on the occasion of World Radio Day.

World Radio Day was originally proposed by the Spanish Academy of Radio and formally presented by Spain's Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during the organization's 187th Executive Board session in September 2011. UNESCO adopted it on Nov. 3, 2011, at its 36th General Conference, and World Radio Day was declared by the UN General Assembly in December 2012.

Through designating a World Radio Day, UNESCO aims to raise awareness among the general public and media professionals about the importance of radio as a vital medium of communication. (QNA)