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After spending decades in government, I found myself at a crossroads, eager to channel my extensive experience into a new pursuit. My background spans a wide array of government sectors—from public and development administration to financial management, revenue, accounting, auditing and public procurement. While some might label this a “jack of all trades, master of none,” I see this diverse knowledge as oftentimes better than being a master of one. The Public Service Forum quickly emerged as the perfect platform. In this unifying field, my numerous experiences could converge, ultimately leading me to dedicate my post-retirement focus to public service reforms.

My drive for reform stems from a deep-seated, persistent dissatisfaction that citizens feel about public service delivery, especially in an increasingly digital world. My recent experiences navigating various government bodies for personal matters vividly highlighted the confusion, uncertainties and delays. Despite having spent over 4.5 decades in policy formulation, regulation, and oversight, I felt a strong urge to contribute more directly to service improvement. “The UN Public Service Forum 2025” offered an opportunity to support my thoughts.

A global perspective

The global conversation on public service reform offers invaluable insights. The United Nations Public Service Forum 2025, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from June 23 to 25, resonated with its theme: “Five Years for 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future.” Co-hosted by the UN and the Government of Uzbekistan, the forum powerfully underscored the urgent need to accelerate progress in public administration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation, innovation and collaboration.

I had the privilege of attending this significant forum, which gathered approximately 1,000 participants. Among them were high-ranking officials, including Navid Hanif (Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations) and the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, as well as nearly two dozen ministers from various ministries related to public service worldwide. Notably, from Nepal, this writer and Bidhan Sharma, Managing Director of Air Charge Nepal, participated through personal initiative.

The three-day program primarily revolved around innovation, digitalization and the latest advancements in information technology for public services. Referring to the UN E-Government Development Index, 12 countries were recognized for their significant strides in digital government: Albania, Armenia, Colombia, Ecuador, Jordan, Mexico, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The forum highlighted significant advancements in public service. Numerous presentations showcased public service systems and reforms in countries that have made services easier, simpler and more efficient through digital governance. Uzbekistan is showcasing remarkable reforms. They achieved a 30 percent reduction in executive staff, abolished numerous licenses and permits, and simplified over 70 public services. Their ‘e-government’ system is widely utilized, offering 350+ online services and training a million citizens in digital literacy to enhance civil service readiness. Since Jan 2023, they've further streamlined their government by reducing independent bodies and ministries.

Hanif of the UN reiterated in his remarks that humanity outweighs files and documents, and being a civil servant is an honor defined by achievable results. He stressed that innovation requires long-term planning and a fundamental shift in the mindset of both leadership and staff. He advocated for citizens to be organically connected with the government through policies and programs, not merely trained in participation, fostering a collaborative journey forward.

The forum’s success, marked by the consistent presence of high-level officials like Hanif of the UN, various ministers, including Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, and contributions from speakers, among others, Vincenzo Aquaro (UNDESA), Derek Alton (Apolitical), Luanna Faira (LA-BORA Gov) and Robin Bennett (Creative Bureaucracy), underscored a strong commitment to reform. It was announced that the next Public Service Forum will be held in Georgia in 2026.

Key takeaways

The forum’s plenaries, Innovation Lab, and workshops centered on AI and Innovation, emphasizing AI’s crucial role in our current era. A key takeaway highlighted the need for a balanced approach: leveraging technology to enhance human intelligence and judgment, not replace it. The forum concluded by outlining the following four key points:

• AI and the public sector: AI holds transformative potential, but its adoption is fragmented, requiring foundational investment and addressing obstacles like data literacy, outdated infrastructure and strategic alignment.
• Innovation in the public sector: Innovation must be purpose-driven, citizen-centric, built on trust, collaboration and adaptable systems. It should solve real problems, ensuring the voices of marginalized citizens are heard, and empowering public servants with tools, training and authority.
• Capacity-building in civil service in the age of AI: Digital transformation hinges on building the capacity of civil servants and institutions, involving technical skills alongside ethical, regulatory and operational considerations of AI. Strategic commitment and central platforms are essential.
• Mindset change and strategic vision: Lasting innovation necessitates cultural change, adaptive leadership and a long-term vision that encourages learning, experimentation and inclusivity. Innovation is not optional; it’s a necessity.

This forum has highly motivated me to continue using my experience to improve public service in Nepal and around the globe. I extend my sincere thanks to the United Nations Public Service Forum for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to potentially meeting again in the next forum in Georgia in 2026.

State of public service in Nepal

Nepal is actively pursuing public service reform through the adoption of Information Technology (IT) and digital governance systems, a core component of its 2019 “Digital Nepal Framework” (DNF). The clear goal is to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of public services for everyone. Significant strides have been made, building on IT policies and the broader DNF. The framework identifies eight key sectors for digital transformation: digital foundation, agriculture, health, education, energy, tourism, finance and urban infrastructure

Currently, the Government of Nepal provides a range of essential public services via IT and digital governance systems. This includes managing identity and personal documents, taxation and revenue services, financial transactions, various local governance functions, and access to employment and social security benefits, largely facilitated by platforms like the Nagarik App. There are many perfect IT operation systems in government business. For instance, in revenue administration, financial management, public procurement, and government auditing, fully electronic systems are in place, where over ninety percent of the work is IT-based.

Despite the introduction of IT systems and other reforms over the past years, the working environment at most service delivery points still requires significant improvement. In the past, manual work might have caused minor delays; in the digital era, there seems to be increased confusion among service-seekers. Many organizations now use a hybrid system that often merely adds a data entry step, rather than genuinely streamlining processes. Overall, citizens are eager to find an easy way to access services across various sectors, including through IT systems.

Shifting to an IT system from manual labor is not an easy task. It needs continuous effort, curiosity, habit and confidence to work in the system. It takes years to fully come to perfection, specifically for the old generation. People using mobile phones are becoming habituated to using IT systems, but there are still many government officials from the old generation who feel comfortable working manually only because of a lack of knowledge, skill and confidence to operate an IT system.

Over nearly four decades in IT, I’ve witnessed Nepal’s remarkable shift from “ICU-like” computer rooms to full digital reliance. Manual transactions have given way to widespread digital payments, including direct bank transfers, now common in the single treasury account system—a trend that was a novelty even in developed countries just decades ago. Yet, inconsistent information and a fragmented regulatory landscape still significantly hinder Nepal’s electronic service delivery, leaving it behind more dynamic global approaches.

The path forward

Nepal’s public service needs a significant digital transformation to enhance citizen well-being and national development. While progress has been made, the immediate focus must shift to thorough business process re-engineering, robust cybersecurity and boosting digital proficiency for both civil servants and the public. Achieving this modernization demands sustained, high-level political and administrative commitment, alongside the establishment of a single, dedicated coordinating agency, much like a Ministry of Public Service found in other countries.

Advancing Nepal’s public service through IT systems requires further dynamism. This future necessitates a multifaceted approach: embracing artificial intelligence, adopting innovative ideas, building the capacity of both employees and citizens, fostering a transformative mindset, securing unwavering commitment from leadership, and developing a clear strategic plan. Crucially, we must cultivate a culture where Nepal’s progress in public service is actively showcased at international forums, enabling vital exchanges of experience and the emulation of global best practices.

Transforming Nepal’s public sector requires a strategic shift toward IT-driven public service, digital governance and AI integration. This vital reform hinges on adopting global best practices and investing in extensive training for both public service employees and citizens. Government training must evolve beyond traditional regulations, prioritizing the development of citizen-centric services through IT. Simultaneously, empowering service-seekers with practical digital literacy will facilitate more efficient interactions, initiatives like Uzbekistan’s plan to train a million citizens in digital literacy to enhance civil service readiness.

Ultimately, public service encompasses all goods, services and facilities provided by the state for the welfare of its citizens. Public service is a fundamental right of citizens, and its system is in dire need of comprehensive and sustained reforms.

The author is a former auditor general of Nepal

The Nepali economy sustained significant shocks over the past several years, and finds itself at a pivotal juncture. In the wake of global and local disruptions—such as the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts and strained supply chains—the country is showing signs of recovery. Despite encouraging export numbers, improved foreign exchange reserves and moderating inflation, Nepal’s recovery remains fragile and uneven.

The last five years have been tumultuous for Nepal. A contraction of 2.37 percent in the fiscal year 2019-20, due to the pandemic, led to a short but promising recovery, with growth rates of 4.84 and 5.63 percent in 2020-21 and 2021-22. However, due to an ongoing liquidity crisis and restrictive import measures, the economy slowed again in 2022-23, recording a paltry growth of 1.98 percent. The current fiscal year (2024-25) has seen projections for growth at 4.61 percent. While this signals progress, it is still not the transformational shift required to stabilize Nepal’s economy and ensure inclusive prosperity.

One of the few bright spots in the recent data is Nepal’s export performance. Over the last year, exports surged by 77.8 percent, totaling Rs 247.57bn. This was primarily driven by higher exports to India, China and other countries, particularly in items such as soybean oil, polyester yarn, jute goods and tea. Such increases indicate stronger global demand for Nepali products and reflect a degree of improved competitiveness in select sectors. While this growth is encouraging, it hasn’t been enough to fully offset the country’s dependency on imports. The nation’s import bill also saw an increase of 13.1 percent, leading to a widening trade deficit of 6.3 percent to Rs 1,397.23bn. Nepal’s trade deficit is persistent, and despite export growth, the structural imbalance between what the country consumes and what it produces remains entrenched.

The economy’s dependence on remittances is also a key factor in its stability. During the eleven-month period of 2024-25, remittances increased by 15.5 percent in Nepali rupee terms and 12.7 percent in USD terms, amounting to Rs 1,532.93bn ($11.25bn). This inflow continues to support the balance of payments surplus, which rose to Rs 491.44bn. However, this reliance on remittances underscores the vulnerability of Nepal’s economic recovery. The country’s economic stability is heavily tied to the employment prospects for Nepalis abroad, particularly in the Gulf countries, and any adverse shift in the global labor market could have a negative impact on the flow of remittances. Moreover, the increasing trend of young Nepalis seeking employment abroad is a reminder of the limited job opportunities at home and the lack of sufficient growth in Nepal’s productive sectors.

In the meantime, the nation’s inflationary pressures have eased somewhat. Consumer price inflation stood at 2.72 percent year-on-year in mid-June 2025, compared to 4.17 percent at the same point in the previous year. A major driver of this moderation was a 0.54 percent decline in food inflation. However, non-food inflation has remained higher, standing at 3.94 percent, and this continues to reflect pressures in areas like education, clothing and miscellaneous goods. While the easing of inflation is a welcome development, it must be noted that Nepal’s inflation is still heavily influenced by global market conditions, especially with regard to fuel and food prices, which make up a large portion of household expenditures. Due to Nepal’s import-dependent nature, inflation remains vulnerable to shifts in international commodity markets.

The country’s foreign exchange reserves have reached an all-time high, rising to $18.65bn by mid-June 2025, representing a 25.9 percent increase from the previous year. These reserves are now sufficient to cover over 17 months of merchandise imports, providing Nepal with a cushion against external shocks. The increase in reserves is partly driven by the influx of remittances and favorable trade balances, but it also signals greater stability in Nepal’s external sector. The country’s gross reserves stood at Rs 2,569.38bn, and the reserve-to-import ratio reached 122.9 percent. This means that Nepal is in a relatively stronger position than in previous years when the country struggled with low reserves and was vulnerable to external shocks.

However, this financial stability is not yet reflected in robust domestic economic activity. While the external sector appears to be holding up, the internal economy remains relatively sluggish. Government spending continues to be inefficient. Total government expenditure stood at Rs 1,282.94bn while capital expenditure remained disappointingly low at just Rs 143.39bn. Government revenue mobilization increased by 10.5 percent, reaching Rs 1,016.09bn, but the failure to meet capital expenditure targets suggests that the government has not been able to effectively implement its development projects. In many sectors, such as roads, schools and hospitals, critical infrastructure projects remain incomplete, and delays are a sign of systemic inefficiencies, planning deficiencies and a lack of accountability within public institutions. This inability to execute capital projects hinders the country’s long-term development potential, leaving many communities without basic services and further contributing to unemployment.

The private sector, too, is facing challenges. Investment in the economy has declined by 1.3 percent, reversing the gains made in the previous year. Domestic credit growth remains low, and credit flow to productive sectors has been insufficient. The lack of confidence among domestic and foreign investors is evident in the stagnation of private sector investment. As long as the business environment remains uncertain—due to bureaucratic delays, regulatory challenges and ineffective governance—investment will remain subdued. Without adequate investment, Nepal will continue to struggle with low productivity, lack of technological advancement and limited job creation.

Despite these challenges, Nepal’s financial sector has shown signs of resilience. The country’s banking system has witnessed growth in deposits and private sector credit. Deposits at banks and financial institutions increased by eight percent, while private sector credit rose as much. The NEPSE index has also climbed to 2,655.39, indicating investor optimism in certain segments of the market. The stock market capitalization rose to Rs 4.42trn, signaling positive sentiment in the financial markets, although this may not necessarily reflect a broader recovery in the real economy.

One of the most concerning long-term trends is the country’s per capita income growth. Nepal’s per capita income has seen marginal growth, projected to reach $1,496 in 2025. However, much of this income is tied to remittances, rather than domestic economic activities. The fact that many young Nepalis are increasingly seeking work abroad lays bare the lack of opportunities at home. Job creation is not keeping pace with demand, and productivity in many sectors remains stagnant. The country’s inability to generate sufficient domestic employment is one of the most pressing challenges facing Nepal in the coming years.

Nepal’s current economic model—heavily reliant on remittances and consumption—needs to evolve. The country’s growth must be driven by increased productivity, technological advancements and greater investments in both human and physical capital. Development projects must be executed efficiently to create infrastructure that can support long-term growth. The government needs to improve its policy framework to encourage investment and job creation. Reforms in education, health and infrastructure are critical to improving the quality of life for Nepalis and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

The fiscal policy has a prominent role in this and it must focus not just on allocating funds but on ensuring that those funds are spent effectively and transparently. Public institutions must be reformed to be more agile, accountable and capable of delivering results. Only then can Nepal build an economy that is capable of meeting the aspirations of its citizens, especially the younger generation, who are the future of the nation.

Nepal’s economy is at a crossroads. The country has shown resilience in the face of external shocks and internal challenges. However, significant reforms are required to move from recovery to sustainable growth. The focus must shift from short-term fixes to long-term structural transformation. With the right policy interventions, better governance and increased investment in productivity, Nepal can ensure that its recovery leads to lasting prosperity for all its people. The time for reinvention has arrived, and Nepal must seize the moment.

As I am writing this essay, the first day of the BRICS Summit chaired by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro has concluded. Some official statements have already been released, all centered on highlighting the importance of the Global South to emerge and thrive in a world so far dominated by developed nations from the West.

With both President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin of Russia absent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India surely can take advantage of the stage, championing together with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil the role of the developing nations.

“The Global South has often been a victim of double standards. Whether it is development, distribution of resources or security-related issues, the interests of the Global South have not been prioritized; India has always considered it its responsibility to rise above its own interests and work in the interest of humanity, " said PM Narendra Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit

It could be tempting to discuss the double standards of the Prime Minister who has always been very keen to cement his relationship with the Global West, especially with the leaders of the G7 but let’s set this aside.

Instead, let’s focus instead on what the BRICS could represent for a country like Nepal. There is no doubt that BRICS can have an important role in reinforcing a multipolar order. At the same time, there is the risk of this bloc polarizing the world further, especially if Russia and China succeed at pushing a strongly anti-western narrative.
It is one thing to lament the unfairness and imbalances facing the Global South, but a completely different matter if there is an open, continuous and unabated hostility toward the West in the way that both Russia and China are keen to unleash. This is the dilemma that Indonesia is facing as the latest nation officially joining the bloc as a full member.

Indonesia, like India, is one of the strongest representatives of the modern non-alignment in foreign policy. De facto, there is no longer a united nonaligned movement of nations but rather, we are talking of the strategic approach of nations like India, Indonesia and Nepal. With the multiple geopolitical crises arising, non-alignment is increasingly becoming a difficult balancing act for the capitals embracing it.

Therefore, the BRICS has a strong purpose and clear mission but only at a theoretical level because in practice, the bloc remains divided. It is one thing to rally around high rhetoric clamoring for justice and equality in the world but it is another thing to put together a coherent set of initiatives, considering also the divergent views that its members have on human rights and democracy.

Yet, there is no doubt that the BRICS cannot become a united and coherent geopolitical bloc, it has some geopolitical aspirations, given the fact that it has been welcoming new members for quite some time. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were officially accepted in 2023 during the South African chairmanship of the BRICS.

In practical terms, there is already a BRICS “global” bank, the New Development Bank (headquartered in Shanghai) under former Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff. While the NDB’s work is still somehow disappointing and underperforming, the potential is clear despite a “sibling” rivalry with Chinese’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). In addition, the Brazilian Presidency this year has been extremely careful at promoting very concrete areas of cooperation like climate change and artificial intelligence.

These factors make BRICS more relevant than G20 and G7, groups that, by design, are to be much more loose and unstructured platforms. Taking into account the strengths and the potential of BRICS but also its structural weaknesses, especially now that it is at risk of losing its strategic focus with its expanded (and diverse) membership, could it be worthy for Nepal to consider applying for a partner status membership?

There are many nations with this looser and less demanding type of affiliation, officially called the “BRICS Partner Countries”. It is an increasingly large group (as per now, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Nigeria have this status). These are nations that want to ride on the potential of BRICS without a full commitment to it. While they can bring an additional collective strength, these nations further stress the internal divide between democracy and authoritarian nations already existing among the full members of the BRICS.

It would not be unimaginable for Nepal to consider this level of partnership with the BRICS. Most importantly, Nepal would gain some visibility and have some tangible gains, especially in terms of enlarging its very limited global presence and establishing more South-South partnerships.

But, strategically speaking, the number one priority for Nepal would be to find ways to reactivate the process of cooperation in South Asia. The SAARC, despite being moribund, should remain the “North Star” for the country’s foreign policy. BIMSTEC and initiatives like “Nepal-India-Bangladesh Corridor could play an important role but none can match the unlimited potential of the SAARC.”

BIMSTEC, no matter its added significance, would never play a fundamental role like the SAARC. The former is a connector, a bridge between two different regions, South Asia and Southeast Asia and Nepal needs to expand its relationship with a nearby region with an incredibly dynamic market. But, in matters of international cooperation and possibly regional integration (the former is the linchpin for the latter), Nepal needs to find an “engine” to maximize its economic potential and develop holistically while eradicating poverty.

Such a propeller can be only found in South Asia and it is called SAARC. With SAARC, there would be a real possibility of creating a common pan-South Asian market and united regional economy. But we all know the current status of this regional body that has been adversely impacted by the relationships between India and Pakistan. There might be creative ways for Nepal to restart the process of regional cooperation but perhaps, Nepal needs to think of itself as its engine rather than delegating this essential and yet untapped function to a regional body.

It might be high time for Nepal to think differently and out of the box and overcome the structural obstacles from two nations in the region that are not interested in leaving the past behind.
Regional cooperation and regional integration in South Asia cannot be blocked by a risky rivalry that, if left unchecked and uncontrolled, can threaten the whole region. Why should not Nepal expand its horizon and strategically imagine itself as a member of bigger forums while also not giving up its strategic interests in its own backyard and truly push for reviving the dream of a more united South Asia?

In recent years, traditional media houses across the globe have resorted to layoffs as a last-ditch effort to stay afloat; if not for the long term, then at least for a few more years. This wave of downsizing began during the Covid-19 crisis and has yet to subside.

Media organizations are now restructuring into smaller, smarter and more agile newsrooms to cut costs. They are grappling with a severe financial crisis as conventional revenue streams dry up and new ones are slow to emerge. Nepal is no exception to this trend. To reduce expenses, many media houses are working to merge operations across print, radio, television and digital platforms into unified newsrooms. The only seemingly viable, though not well-thought-out option has been to scale down operations to match dwindling revenues. 

In this context, a wide range of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools could prove to be a boon for the fragile media landscape, potentially helping to fill gaps left by staff reductions. However, before embracing AI more broadly, it is crucial for media houses to formulate clear policies to ensure its ethical, transparent and effective use.

While some media houses have already started using AI tools, their applications remain minimal and largely unregulated. It is high time media houses moved decisively, from the Gutenberg-era newsroom to an AI-equipped, high-tech newsroom. A key first step in this transition is to provide training for journalists and collaborate with technology companies to develop customized newsroom tools. While the adoption of AI is not without costs, it can be a cost-effective alternative in the long run, gradually replacing outdated editorial structures.

At present, AI use in Nepal’s newsrooms is limited to individual journalists. Many AI-generated, translated or edited texts are published without any editorial supervision. While no comprehensive study has been conducted to assess the use of AI in Nepali newsrooms so far, a recent survey by Rajiv Timalsina, a student of Kantipur City College, provides some insights. According to the survey, 38 percent of journalists use AI tools for transcription tasks such as documenting interviews. Around 22 percent use them for fact-checking through platforms like Google Fact Check or image verification engines, while only 18 percent use audience analytics tools to understand reader behavior.

The next step after introducing AI tools is to train employees to use them effectively, particularly to improve the quality of writing and editing. Currently, there is a lack of trained human resources in the newsroom, and local journalists are still in the early stages of AI adoption.  While some non-governmental organizations have begun offering training, there has been little to no institutional collaborations.

Media houses must establish dedicated AI departments and AI editors to provide proper insight and guidance. Without this, the unchecked use of AI could lead to serious problems. If possible, Nepali media should also seek collaboration with international media organizations to learn from their experiences, though even global media outlets are still experimenting with AI integration.

In 2024, The New York Times publicly released a document outlining its approach to AI in the newsroom. The US media company said it does not use AI to write news or articles. It said it uses AI in three main ways: as a tool in the service of its journalistic mission, under human guidance and review and transparent use. Compared to other international media outlets, it has adopted a more cautious stance on AI use, maintaining that human creativity remains central to content creation.

In 2023, The Financial Times appointed Madhumita Murgia as its first AI editor. The following year, The New York Times rolled out its first generative AI features for subscribers. The same year, The Washington Post launched “Ask the Post AI”, which it described as a generative AI tool leveraging the publication’s deeply-sourced, fact-based journalism to deliver summary answers and curated results directly to users. 

In neighboring India, The Hindustan Times joined the AI race in 2024, establishing a 15-member team to work on GenAI-based initiatives such as news bots, personalization, audience engagement, monetization and subscription strategies. 

In Nepal, while journalists have begun using publicly-available AI tools, institutional adoption remains limited. However, some media outlets have started integrating AI technologies in various ways, from digital news readers to audio transcription, translation, image and text generation, and even news writing.

Providing summaries alongside news articles, with editorial endorsement, is a growing global trend. Onlinekhabar is among the Nepali media following this trend. Annapurna Post has also taken help of AI for its digital reader tool.  However, some news outlets, which lack strong editorial oversight, are publishing AI-generated summaries that are flawed or misleading.

With the use of AI at the individual level growing, media houses must ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically. This is necessary both to maintain editorial integrity and to earn people’s trust. With strategic investment and collaboration with tech companies, AI could unlock new opportunities for Nepali media houses. 

AI tools can help summarize news stories, but editors must have the final say. The New York Times’ own experience shows that AI-generated summaries often fail to fully capture the nuances of original articles. Many believe that human-written summaries are still superior. Despite this, the US media company’s AI team has been refining its tools, acknowledging that while AI is not perfect, it can still help free up editorial staff for other important tasks. 

With the right human guidance, generative AI can also be used to create visuals to accompany new stories. Some Nepali media houses have started using AI-generated images, but these are only accurate when journalists provide detailed guidance. Otherwise, there is a risk of misrepresentation and factual inaccuracies. 

Resource constraints have long prevented Nepal media from producing investigative, analytical and in-depth news stories. AI could help bridge this gap. It can assist in scanning documents, analyzing data and identifying leads for investigative reports. These are the tasks that journalists often struggle to manage under tight deadlines. AI can also support wider and more efficient coverage by translating news into multiple languages to reach broader audiences. Some outlets in Nepal have already begun experimenting with this approach.

AI tools can be used to support news writing and editing. However, this should always be done under direct editorial supervision. These tools are best used to prepare preliminary drafts. For journalists, AI can help identify trending topics, suggest potential sources, summarize lengthy documents, conduct background checks and even engage audiences more effectively.

While investing in AI infrastructure may place an additional financial burden on media houses in the short term, it could prove vital to their long-term survival. On one hand, AI can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of news production; on the other, a compact AI-powered newsroom can help reduce human resource costs. Compared to other countries, Nepali media remain behind in adopting technology. But the use of AI in newsrooms is no longer a distant possibility, it is a present-day reality.  The question is not whether to use AI, but how to use it effectively to harness its benefits.