The arrival of AI threw many industries into a tailspin, especially those involved with creative arts. Journalism is one example of an industry that has been rocked with the introduction of AI tools and technologies, and, in common with the rest of the world, the challenge is now to work out how AI can help journalism rather than hinder it.
What are the Challenges with AI and Journalism?
The main challenge is that AI isn’t always reliable. Think of it as a giant search engine that can also make incorrect conclusions if its input data is incorrect. AI can also only formulate information based on historic inputs, so it is less useful for current information without a large body of background data to guide its responses.
How Can AI Help Journalists?
AI can help in a variety of ways. For example, it can be useful for background information, for pulling together research and for answering specific questions. It can help with functional advice such as interview structuring, question ideas for a journalistic piece or a wireframe for an article. But it is already clear that AI needs to be a partner for human journalists rather than a tool that can replace the nuance and contextual skill of a human professional in the role.
Journalism and AI Coexisting
As an enabler and disrupter in one, AI can continue to deliver positive benefits to the industry when it is used correctly. For example, it can:
- Support learning in journalism courses from providers such as https://schoolofjournalism.co.uk/ by tailoring content and learning modes and creating rich, engaging content that brings modules to life.
- Automate publishing tasks, generate lower-value content and support the news-gathering process.
The challenge for the industry is to manage issues around ethics, job displacement and the growing lack of trust in the media. It’s also interesting to note and remember that new jobs and responsibilities will evolve alongside AI to ensure that ethical standards are maintained and that newsroom workflows are delivered correctly with these new tools and to the right quality standards.
