AI and the evolution of journalistic practices

Abstract

This study investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative power in traditional journalistic practice, focusing on new skills and competencies of journalists in an AI-driven newsroom. The methodological approach was mixed-methods and included semi-structured interviews with journalists and a content analysis comparing AI-generated with human-written news articles. Key findings reveal that AI encompasses efficiency, precision, and personalization in news delivery, as well as some big ethical challenges that involve biases in algorithms, privacy, and transparency of AIgenerated content. The study outlines the imperative of journalists’ adaptation to the new evolving roles involving data analysis and technology use, with a close eye on journalistic integrity. This includes implications for the industry in terms of robust ethical standards, interdisciplinary collaboration between journalists and technologists, and educational reforms to prepare future journalists with the necessary skill set. If these challenges are addressed, AI can unleash its potential and help the journalism industry maintain its core values of accuracy, accountability, and service to the public. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on the future of journalism in the digital age, underlining some key ethical considerations as far as the integration of AI technologies is concerned.