AI's influence on journalism raises concerns and opportunities

In early March, a job ad for an “AI-assisted sports reporter” at Gannett, the publisher of USA Today, sparked conversations among sports journalists. The position promises to be at the forefront of journalism, but it stated that it would not involve traditional reporting tasks like travel or interviews. This situation reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms, which are now facing both challenges and opportunities from this technology. Recently, AI has raised concerns for media outlets. For example, an AI project from the LA Times faced criticism for inaccurately portraying the Ku Klux Klan. Meanwhile, some journalists in the UK have reported over 100 bylines in a single day thanks to AI. While there is anxiety about these developments, there is also a growing agreement on the capabilities of AI in journalism. Media executives warn that if consumers turn to AI for news instead of traditional outlets, the industry may face significant problems. A UK media executive emphasized the necessity for companies to establish clear guidelines for AI’s use in journalism. The rapid deployment of AI has already led to several mistakes in its storytelling abilities. Some media organizations are experimenting with AI to improve their processes. For instance, they are using it to suggest text for headlines and story summaries, which can then be reviewed by human editors. The Independent recently announced it would use AI-generated condensed versions of its stories. Other publishers are trying AI chatbots to interact with readers, but these tools come with a disclaimer about their potential inaccuracies. Notably, a company called Reach has reported some journalists achieving unusually high byline counts due to AI technology repurposing their work. While this can enhance productivity, there is skepticism that the time saved will lead to more original reporting. Critics argue it might simply allow journalists to engage in other work instead. Inside newsrooms, AI is being used to analyze large data sets and aid in tasks like transcription and social media monitoring. For example, the News Movement created a tool that tracks social media conversations to help journalists understand trending topics. Some organizations are even attempting to use AI for fact-checking. Looking ahead, media leaders are interested in transforming stories into formats that appeal to audiences, such as videos. However, there are fears that AI could replace traditional media in delivering content. Tech developments, like the recent introduction of a new AI Mode by Google, have raised alarms regarding the future of journalism. To address these concerns, some media companies are forming licensing agreements with AI model owners, enabling the use of their original content with proper attributions. Meanwhile, the New York Times is pursuing legal action against OpenAI for using its material. Despite the challenges posed by AI, there remains hope that the media industry can adapt and thrive.