Pros and Cons of AI in Journalism

Isabella Chiodo

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing industries across the globe, and journalism is no exception. From automating routine tasks to generating entire news articles, AI is reshaping newsrooms of all sizes. This shift raises important questions about technology's role in shaping journalism's future. As newsrooms adopt AI, it's important to note the effects it can have on the media that viewers consume.

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, are at the forefront of this debate, sparking discussions about their role. These technologies have raised concerns about misinformation and the potential to destabilize media jobs. According to an article by the Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI), these systems have created “new pathways for sustainability and innovation in news productions,” but also pose risks, like “copyright violations” and “giving the public inaccurate information.” These systems rely on vast amounts of data to learn, often pulling from copyrighted content to train themselves. CNTI reports that news publishers are “claiming copyright and terms-of-service violations” when AI companies use their content without permission. These legal challenges highlight the need for new regulations when considering writing property rights. 

Senior director of news product and strategy from NBCU Academy, Alex Golden, also stressed that “AI always needs human oversight” and warns against passing off AI-generated content as original reporting. Although technology has advanced over the years, AI does not always guarantee the critical thinking that comes with human citing. Fact-checking for generated sourcing could increase workload, undermining the tool’s value in the first place. 

Currently, AI assists news workers rather than replacing them, but job displacement for journalists remains a possibility. Aimee Rinehart from the Associated Press warned that new demands could quickly absorb any time-saving achieved through AI, suggesting, “It is not a given that AI will free up news workers to do deeper or better journalism.” How news organizations utilize AI will ultimately determine its effects on the quality and integrity of journalists’ work. 

Although these potential dangers cause real and valid concern, the benefits of AI in journalism should also be considered. A Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism survey found that 67 percent of media leaders in 53 countries reported using AI for tasks like story selection and content recommendations. This shows AI’s value in cutting down the time journalists spend on repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more creative and investigative ones. 

Additionally, there is potential to enhance diversity in news coverage by using AI data analytics to identify underreported stories and tailor content to audiences that may have been overlooked. By using this resource, newsrooms can better understand their audience and address their diverse interests. Rinehart stated, “If you don’t know the tools that power is using, you can’t speak truth to power.” Journalists are encouraged to harness these technologies to remain competitive and effective in the industry. As AI continues to shape the future of journalism, the industry faces a critical challenge: balancing AI’s benefits with the equally important need for accuracy, transparency and ethical standards. While AI has the potential to transform, its impact on the trustworthiness of news remains a key concern that must be carefully managed.