AI's Impact on Journalism: Newsrooms Adapt to the Future

20 juin 2023

As newsrooms embark on the path of embracing generative AI, an intriguing question arises: what implications does this have for the field of journalism? The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism was a topic of great interest at the recent VivaTech conference in Paris, a prominent event that drew a diverse global audience. Amidst the emergence of powerful generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney, discussions centered around how AI is already shaping various professions and industries, ranging from writers and artists to music producers and developers.

Among these industries, journalism stands out as a sector keenly observing the potential of AI. Newsrooms worldwide are grappling with the challenge of integrating this technology into their daily workflows and work environments. To gain insights into the implications of AI for journalism, Charlie Beckett, a professor leading LSE's JournalismAI project, engaged in a conversation with Euronews Next at VivaTech.

Beckett, an experienced journalist who has witnessed the profound technological transformations within the industry over the past few decades, emphasized that change is an inherent constant in journalism. Recognizing the need for newsrooms to adapt to the evolving landscape, he has been instrumental in teaching a course on AI and journalism at LSE, aimed at empowering smaller news organizations to harness this technology's potential amidst the constraints of diminishing funding and revenue streams.

A report by JournalismAI in 2019 revealed that even the most advanced newsrooms employing AI only considered it as an additional or supplementary tool, lacking the transformative power to revolutionize their operations. These findings highlighted the distinction between journalism and other industries that had experienced immediate large-scale AI-driven changes.

However, in the wake of the generative AI revolution, Beckett believes that the scenario has changed significantly. He views this as an unprecedented acceleration, surpassing the time it took for the internet or social media to permeate news organizations. While the assimilation of AI into journalism may occur rapidly, its long-term impact remains uncertain.

The prominence of AI at VivaTech 2023 demonstrates its dominance in the discussions and showcases at the conference. In the context of newsrooms, The Guardian, a major news organization in the UK, recently outlined its approach to utilizing generative AI. They emphasized focusing on situations where AI can enhance the quality of their work, including aiding journalists in analyzing extensive datasets, assisting with corrections or suggestions, generating ideas for marketing campaigns, or streamlining time-consuming administrative processes. This deliberate integration of AI tools represents a shift from its previous discreet presence in newsrooms, where it primarily automated repetitive tasks such as headline generation or weather and sports results publication.

Journalists now have access to powerful tools like ChatGPT, which can potentially revolutionize their work processes. These tools enable individual journalists to experiment with AI themselves, showcasing the excitement and creative potential of AI, while also acknowledging its limitations and capacity for error. Beckett emphasizes that journalists find themselves in a "new world" characterized by instability and unpredictability. To thrive in this environment, journalists must possess a fundamental understanding of emerging technologies like AI, irrespective of their specific beat or subject matter. AI has become an integral part of every sector, necessitating journalists to acquire at least a basic understanding of its implications to remain relevant and empowered in their profession.

In the ongoing discourse surrounding AI, a recurring concern has been the potential displacement of human journalists by machines. As AI proves its effectiveness in text generation, information analysis, and editing, questions arise regarding the future of journalism itself. Beckett believes that the preservation of journalism lies in its ability to add value through distinctly human contributions. Investigative journalism, humor, and political commitment are qualities that distinguish human journalists from machines. Machines lack the capability to venture out into the world, engage with people on the ground, and bear witness to events as they unfold. While 

While AI may excel in certain tasks, it cannot replicate the human experience and understanding that underpins journalism. The unique value of human journalists lies in their ability to contextualize information, ask critical questions, and provide nuanced perspectives. AI, in its current state, remains a language machine devoid of true comprehension or empathy. It is incapable of discerning truth or demonstrating care for the impact of its output. These qualities are intrinsic to human journalists, and they must continue to foreground them in their work.

In conclusion, the integration of generative AI into newsrooms marks a significant development in journalism. While the long-term impact is yet to be fully realized, it is clear that AI is rapidly reshaping the industry. Journalists and news organizations must adapt to this evolving landscape, understanding the potential of AI tools while acknowledging their limitations. By embracing AI as a supplementary tool, journalists can leverage its capabilities to enhance productivity, analyze data, and streamline processes. However, it is essential to recognize that the true value of journalism lies in human contributions that AI cannot replicate: investigative prowess, storytelling, critical thinking, and the ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level. By harnessing the power of AI while preserving the unique strengths of human journalism, the field can navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this new era.