How Are Journalists Using Artificial Intelligence?

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The emergence of artificial intelligence technology, especially over the course of the past year, has significantly impacted industries of all kinds. We have come a long way since OpenAI’s initial release of ChatGPT in November of 2022, with Microsoft’s recent announcement to help media organizations incorporate generative artificial intelligence into their newsrooms. 

Since 2022, both lawsuits and concerns have grown over the use of AI and potential risks. In March 2023, AI experts and tech leaders including Elon Musk called for a pause in the development of this technology until we can better measure its effects and impact. 

This warning hasn’t slowed down newsrooms from incorporating AI into their daily work. Journalists are exploring new ways to use AI in enhancing the quality of their content and the efficiency of their newsroom operations. Social media journalism is fast paced, and the generative tools of AI can help newsrooms meet a high demand for creating online content. AI is helping journalists quickly create images and infographics for their news stories along with speedy speech to text transcriptions. JournalismAI, a project by the London School of Economics and Political Science, conducted a global survey relating to the risks and opportunities created by AI. Journalism AI surveyed 105 news organizations, and over 75 percent of respondents said they use AI tools to gather and distribute news. Roughly 80 percent of respondents are expecting a greater role from AI in the future.

User engagement is an essential element of online journalism, and AI can help to boost interactivity between content creators and their audience. As social media has become more incorporated into our lives, personalized news and user generated content has become a growing trend. Artificial intelligence helps journalists to tailor content to their audience through personalized emails and subscription newsletters. Artificial intelligence is helping newsrooms and media organizations cater their content to, and engage, their target audience. According to Twipe, some news outlets are using this new technology to create news quizzes and games for their readers to maintain user engagement. 

With the fast paced publication of news online, the risk of spreading misinformation is high. Artificial intelligence can help to fact check statements and sources by comparing claims with online databases. Using AI to fact check statements increases the efficiency of the journalist and helps to enhance the quality of the content. 

The use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms can greatly increase efficiency and productivity, but require human oversight. Without trained journalists reviewing the content generated by AI, there are risks for biases and improper uses of the technology. Rather than letting AI replace the tasks and role of a journalist, AI should be used to ensure an efficient workflow. AI will be, and already is, used as a tool in the workplace, but not as a shortcut, and certainly not as a replacement. 

For the readers, where do you see artificial intelligence heading in the future? How will it or is it already affecting your work?