AI in the Networked Newsroom: Friend or Foe?

By Lindsay Kim | June 4, 2024

Journalists and AI robots working together in a networked newsroom. (Niekerk, P. van, & Niekerk, P. van./Media Makers Meet)

As AI gears up to take center stage in journalism, a debate emerges: Will AI enhance journalistic integrity or potentially undermine it?

AI is rapidly transforming industries worldwide, and journalism is no exception. As AI evolves from an emerging concept to a key tool, a debate about its role in media has surfaced. Some argue that AI could potentially replace human journalists, while others believe it could help rebuild public trust in traditional media.

"AI can never replace the depth obtained from human journalists," Jake Goldstein, a reporter at the Daily Herald of Everett, said. "As we embrace these new tools in reporting, developing a unique journalistic voice and strong reporting skills is essential to ensure machines don't easily replace us."

AI is already revolutionizing how newsrooms decide what stories to cover. Algorithms can sift through vast amounts of data to spotlight trends, patterns, events, and anomalies. Generative AI is positioned as a game-changer for gathering, summarizing, and visualizing information, fundamentally transforming news media workflows and outputs locally and globally.

This tectonic shift has received mixed reactions, emphasizing the nuance and delicate balance needed when discussing AI's role in journalism.

In a lively panel discussion with Columbia Journalism Review's editor Kyle Pope, Pulitzer Prize-winner Wesley Lowery pulled no punches about the myth of objectivity in journalism. "The act of journalism, no matter how much we may fetishize the idea of objectivity, requires a series—a pyramid—of subjective decision-making," Lowery said, highlighting the need to reevaluate journalism's core values in the rising age of AI.

Despite common fears over AI's implications, many experts recognize its potential to enhance journalistic efficiency and engage an audience that has grown skeptical of traditional reporting methods.

Oren Etzioni, founder of TrueMedia.org, sees AI's multifaceted potential in improving efficiency and objectivity, especially for smaller news outlets. However, he cautioned about the need for proper training to leverage AI effectively.

"AI also brings risks such as deep fakes that can undermine public trust, so it depends on how humans use it," Etzioni said.

During the newsroom's research phase, it is clear that AI opens doors to new ways of detecting fake news through algorithms and enables journalists to analyze data on an unprecedented scale. However, it also presents challenges that require careful navigation.

Camilo Fonseca, a reporter at Business Insider, highlighted practical applications and the influence of AI in bigger newsroom operations, from SEO optimization to drafting summaries.

"The technology's footprint is undeniable," Fonseca said. "Yet, as we embrace these tools, we must be vigilant not to let them dictate our narrative or overshadow the human element fundamental to journalism."

While discussing the historical evolution of new tools in the newsroom, Professor Matthew Powers, teaching media ethics at UW, emphasized the connection between technology and journalism.

"Journalism has always evolved with technology," Powers said. "From the telegraph to the internet, each innovation has both disrupted and enhanced the field. AI is just the latest iteration, requiring us to adapt and reconsider how we define journalism."

As AI becomes more accurate and prevalent, it poses new challenges, such as potential biases leading to misinformation risks and sparking concerns about the possible long-term risks of incorporating AI into national newsrooms, such as the involvement of big tech companies.

"When big tech companies get involved in journalism, it usually doesn't end well for the news industry," Goldstein said. "If newspapers start relying more on AI, it might not be a sign of innovation but rather a necessity driven by financial pressures, potentially leading to job cuts."

Inside the business, this dynamic separates winners from losers. Frontrunners are better positioned to negotiate favorable terms with platforms and tech companies when news organizations have invested in R&D, allocated staff resources, attracted and retained talent, and built infrastructure, gaining a competitive advantage.

Regardless of the pros and cons, AI will reshape newsroom operations, from editorial processes to business strategies, and we're already seeing a slow but steady simplification of news production. This change will be implemented differently based on the contexts and specific influences of institutional incentives and decisions. Still, there remains optimism about the future of journalism in connection with AI.

"There's something nice about poking into those spaces and being pleasantly surprised by how thoughtful people are," Ben Smith, editor-in-chief and cofounder of Semafor, said during a podcast episode, "A Mediapocalypse? With Ben Smith," hosted by Chris Hayes.

In a networked era flooded with information, maintaining journalistic integrity and the trust that comes from genuine human connection is more crucial than ever. AI, while a valuable tool, must be careful not to replace the efforts of human journalists working behind the scenes.