In early March, a job post for an “AI-assisted sports reporter” at USA Today’s publisher, Gannett, sparked interest among sports journalists. The role was described as being at the “forefront of a new era in journalism,” but came with a caveat: “This is not a beat-reporting position and does not require travel or face-to-face interviews.” Football commentator Gary Taphouse humorously captured the sentiment with, “It was fun while it lasted.”
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has newsrooms grappling with its implications, both threats and opportunities. Recent incidents include an AI project softening the depiction of the Ku Klux Klan and British journalists amassing over 100 bylines in a day due to AI. Despite the concerns, there is growing agreement on what AI can accurately do.
However, media companies are cognizant of a significant challenge: users might opt for AI assistants to get their content, potentially disrupting content provision. A UK media executive noted the importance of setting the right framework for AI, warning of severe consequences if not managed properly.
The swift rise of AI has led to several journalistic missteps. The LA Times launched an AI tool that sparked controversy by suggesting the Ku Klux Klan was seen as a “white Protestant culture” rather than a hate-driven movement. The tool was tasked with making judgments it was not capable of.
Even tech giant Apple had to suspend a feature that erroneously summarized BBC News headlines, highlighting the difficulties in ensuring AI accuracy. Despite this, publishers recognize AI’s potential in suggesting text chunks, such as headline suggestions and story summaries. The Independent announced plans to publish AI-condensed versions of its stories, following in the footsteps of many others testing similar tools.
AI is also being explored for deeper analytical tasks within newsrooms. It has assisted in uncovering severe hospital negligence cases through data analysis and is widely used for transcription and translation.
The future of AI in journalism may include transforming content to suit audience preferences, turning stories into formats like video or audio. However, the looming threat that AI might replace media companies in content creation — through personal AI chatbots, for instance — remains a significant concern. Some advocate for government intervention, while others believe in adapting to new platforms to ensure media accessibility.
Amid these developments, media groups are negotiating with AI model owners, securing deals with attribution for using their content to train AI. These complex relationships and legal battles reflect the broader challenges of integrating AI into journalism effectively.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/22/we-need-to-set-the-terms-or-were-all-screwed-how-newsrooms-are-tackling-ais-uncertainties-and-opportunities
