ORANJESTAD, Aruba--The Red Arubiano di Prensa Profesional (RAPP) organized the third annual Caribbean Journalism Seminar from September 25 to 27, placing innovation and artificial intelligence at the center of discussions about the future of journalism.
The three-day program, held under the theme Innovations & AI in Journalism, was designed to give journalists practical knowledge and skills to integrate artificial intelligence into their work consciously and responsibly. A combination of presentations, discussions and two hands-on workshops allowed participants to examine both the opportunities created by AI and the responsibilities that come with using the technology in journalism.
Participants explored how AI can assist journalists and newsrooms with processing and analyzing information, verifying data, developing new formats and improving efficiency. The seminar also addressed concerns surrounding reliability, privacy, transparency, editorial responsibility and the protection of sources.
RAPP emphasized throughout the program that journalists must understand not only what AI can do, but also where the technology can fall short. AI-generated information can appear convincing while containing errors or inaccuracies, making human judgment, critical thinking and verification essential. Responsibility for information that is ultimately published remains with the journalist and newsroom using the technology.
The seminar opened on Friday, September 25, with presentations from three professionals working at the intersection of journalism and technology. Digital Strategist and Developer Rodolfo Rodriguez demonstrated ways journalists and other media professionals can make use of Claude. Vincent Smit, editor-in-chief of Dutch media outlet 1Almere, focused on "vibe coding" in the newsroom and how journalists can use AI to create their own tools and prototypes.
Noel Algarín-Martínez, an editor at Puerto Rico's Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, addressed the ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence and the importance of keeping human judgment at the center of journalistic work.
The program moved from discussion to practical application on Saturday, September 26, with the AI Essentials for Journalists workshop led by Chief Automation Officer Laurens Ras. Participants learned how to configure tools such as ChatGPT and Claude around their own work, sources and writing style. The objective was to help journalists obtain results that better reflect their individual voice, professional context and reporting needs rather than relying on generic AI output.
On Sunday, September 27, Smit led the Vibe Coding in Practice workshop. Participants explored how a journalistic idea could be developed into an initial working prototype, even without previous programming experience. The workshop demonstrated possible applications ranging from interactive storytelling and audience-engagement tools to newsroom solutions and new approaches to presenting information.
The seminar reinforced the message that innovation in journalism involves more than simply adopting the latest technology. Journalists must understand why, how and when particular tools should be used, while continuing to question and verify the information those systems produce. For a profession built around verification, independence and responsibility to the public, ethical considerations remain central to the use of AI.
Through the Caribbean Journalism Seminar and its workshops, RAPP aims to provide a space where journalists can exchange knowledge, learn from one another and continue developing their professional skills. The organization sees the initiative as part of a broader effort to strengthen journalism in Aruba and throughout the region while preparing media professionals for technological changes already reshaping their field.
The Caribbean Journalism Seminar 2026 was made possible with support from Aruba Tourism Authority, WEB Aruba N.V., Hyatt Place Aruba Airport, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, SETAR and Aruba Airport Authority.
