‘AI can’t replace human storytelling — Savadia
“AI will never replicate the emotional intelligence or intuition of human storytellers,” declared Dushyant Savadia, founder and CEO of Amber Group, during his keynote address at World Television Day celebration hosted at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC), The University of the West Indies, Mona, last Thursday.
Final-year public relations students hosted this year’s virtual event under the theme ‘AI TV: The Future or The End?’, bringing together media professionals, students, and television enthusiasts to explore the evolving role of television in the age of artificial intelligence.
Savadia encouraged students to view AI not as a threat but as a powerful tool for innovation, one that can automate repetitive processes while freeing media professionals to focus on deeper, more meaningful storytelling.
In his presentation, Savadia underscored the rapid global expansion of AI, noting that by March 2026 AI chatbots will be even more advanced, ushering in the next major shift — physical AI.
“We are entering an era where AI systems will resemble humans in both appearance and interaction,” he explained, adding that television is now experiencing its most profound transformation since the move from black-and-white to colour.
He explained the pace of change with the launch of Revonews.ai, a platform redefining what a modern newsroom can be. The site allows audiences to speak directly to the news through an AI assistant using media veteran Cliff Hughes’ voice; explore decades of archives instantly; and curate the stories, sports and entertainment they want in real time.
“Whatever you imagine, you can now create,” he told the audience, describing a future in which viewers can pause a programme and interact with their TV in the moment.
During a lively Q&A segment, attendees discussed ethics challenges, cultural preservation, and the future of Jamaican content creation.
Dr Patrick Prendergast, director of CARIMAC, reflected on the significance of the occasion, noting: “As a school, we continuously seek ways to make ever-changing technologies work for the advancement of our industry and our society. This event allows us to reflect on what television means as a cultural force and consider how we can innovate while maintaining the values, standards, and creativity that define strong media practice.”