Journalists embrace AI tools to enhance productivity amid economic pressures

Journalists are increasingly turning to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Bard to enhance their productivity amidst ongoing economic pressures in the journalism industry. Recent surveys have highlighted this trend, revealing varying degrees of AI adoption among media professionals.

A survey by the Associated Press, released in April 2024, indicated that nearly 70% of journalists had employed AI tools to generate text, including drafting articles, creating headlines, and composing social media posts. This figure contrasts with a May 2024 global survey from public relations firm Cision, which found 47% of journalists leveraging such technologies in their work.

The growing integration of AI technologies in journalism raises several considerations regarding their impact on the profession, especially concerning ethical standards and the journalist-audience relationship.

One primary concern is the reliability of AI tools. Instances have occurred where such systems, while appearing authoritative, have provided inaccurate information. Notably, Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, gave an incorrect response during a demonstration about the James Webb Space Telescope’s findings in 2023. This instance underlines the necessity for journalists to rigorously fact-check AI-generated content, potentially negating the time-saving benefits these tools purportedly offer.

Another concern is the transformation of journalistic roles. The use of AI for drafting content might shift journalists’ responsibilities from writing to editing, fundamentally changing the nature of their work. This alteration could impact the creative process that journalists undergo as they refine their ideas into comprehensive narratives — a process traditionally integral to journalistic integrity and originality.

Despite these possibilities, many journalists are currently using AI for auxiliary tasks such as writing newsletters, translating texts, forming headlines, and crafting social media content, rather than for complete article creation. However, the improving sophistication of AI might tempt more professionals to lean on these tools for drafting articles.

The core of the debate lies in whether journalism is more than merely conveying information. Traditionally, the profession has involved a nuanced relationship between the writer and the reader. Audiences often follow journalists owing to their unique voice, analysis, and thought processes. The use of AI, which lacks individual personality and authorial voice, raises questions about whether it diminishes this relationship and, consequently, the trust placed in the media by the public.

Journalism, traditionally seen as a pillar supporting democratic institutions, already faces challenges related to public trust. The deployment of AI could further complicate these issues if the authenticity and individual connection between journalists and their audience are perceived as being compromised.

While AI is unlikely to replace the core tenets of journalism, such as truth-telling and watchdog functions of holding power to account, its role is expanding in ways that demand careful consideration by media professionals. The challenge will be to integrate AI ethically and responsibly without undermining the foundational goals and trust that define journalism’s noble role in society.

Source: Noah Wire Services