Organized in collaboration with Üsküdar University and Google, the Google News Initiative Artificial Intelligence Literacy Training comprehensively addressed digital journalism, search engine dynamics, and the role of artificial intelligence tools in journalism. Google Education Consultant Özgür Mehmet Kütküt presented current artificial intelligence applications in journalism to students with examples.
The Google News Initiative Artificial Intelligence Literacy Training, held in Üsküdar University's Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, took place with the enthusiastic participation of students. Prof. Süleyman İrvan, Head of the Journalism Department, Faculty of Communication, delivered the opening speech of the event, while Google Education Consultant Özgür Mehmet Kütküt provided training to Faculty of Communication students on artificial intelligence tools.
Prof. Süleyman İrvan: “Artificial intelligence is an inseparable part of media and communication professions”
Prof. Süleyman İrvan, Head of the Journalism Department, who delivered the opening speech of the training, said, “As the Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication, we consider it our fundamental mission to educate communicators who can adapt to the rapidly changing media and communication world, and who can use technology effectively and correctly. In this regard, we attach importance to incorporating developments in communication technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, into our educational processes.”
İrvan stated, “Artificial intelligence has now become an inseparable part of media and communication professions; therefore, artificial intelligence literacy is an indispensable competence for future communicators,” and by using these expressions, drew attention to the importance of the training in terms of their academic vision.
Özgür Mehmet Kütküt: "The aim of the Google News Initiative is to support quality journalism practices and strengthen digital publishing"
In the first session of the training, which took place in two parts, Google Education Consultant Özgür Mehmet Kütküt stated that the aim of the Google News Initiative is to support quality journalism practices and strengthen digital publishing. Kütküt, noting that thousands of journalists have been reached through training programs conducted in Türkiye, said that this process aims to create a global news community.
Özgür Mehmet Kütküt gave a practical presentation on search engine optimization, research with artificial intelligence, and text, audio, and visual content creation topics, using Google, Gemini, and NotebookLM.
“Search engine visibility is possible with correct content”
In his presentation, Özgür Mehmet Kütküt, who detailed the working system of Google Search, emphasized that user-centricity, reliability, and technical compatibility are decisive in ranking content. He drew attention to the importance of using correct keywords, optimizing visual and video content, and data markups in news production. He particularly noted that original and beneficial content stands out in search results.
“Data and trends determine direction in journalism”
Özgür Mehmet Kütküt, also touching upon the advantages offered by tools like Google Trends in journalism, stated that users' search behaviors directly reflect societal interests and needs. He noted that the correct analysis of this data provides a strong guide in news production. Kütküt expressed that trend data is an effective tool not only in content production but also in news structuring.
While the first session focused on the impact of social media on consumer behavior and digital sales strategies, the second session of the event focused on the use of artificial intelligence technologies.
“Artificial intelligence is strengthened by correct questions”
In the second session of the event, Özgür Mehmet Kütküt emphasized that users' commands are more decisive than the outputs provided by artificial intelligence. Kütküt said, “How you say it changes the outcome as much as what you say to artificial intelligence. Correct prompts are the key to quality output.” Stating that generative artificial intelligence is not just a tool that provides information, Kütküt drew attention to the need for users to guide these systems consciously and strategically.
“In journalism, artificial intelligence is about process, not production”
Özgür Mehmet Kütküt, also addressing the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, emphasized that this technology is effective more in research, analysis, and data processing stages than in content production. Kütküt, stating “Artificial intelligence does not write for you, but supports you to write better,” expressed that news texts, scripts, and data analysis can be quickly generated, especially with correct prompts.
“In the new era, the winner will be those who use artificial intelligence correctly”
At the end of his speech, Özgür Mehmet Kütküt, addressing the impact of artificial intelligence on professions, stated that technology offers opportunities rather than threats, and used the expressions, “Not those who fear artificial intelligence, but those who use it correctly will stand out. Therefore, what is important is not to consume technology, but to be able to manage it.”
The session ended with a group photo taken after students' questions were answered. It was stated that digital participation certificates would be sent by Google to students who successfully completed the training within a short period.