A new survey from the JournalismAI initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has revealed that many news organizations globally are using generative AI in their works.
Out of over 100 surveyed news outlets spanning 46 countries, an impressive 73% see generative AI, which includes models like ChatGPT and Google Bard, as a realm ripe with potential.
SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: San Francisco Chronicle journeyman pressman Ray Lussier pulls two freshly printed copies of the Chronicle at one of the Chronicle's printing facilities September 20, 2007 in San Francisco, California.
A recent report from the JournalismAI initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has revealed that a significant majority of news organizations globally view generative AI (genAI) as a promising avenue for journalism.
Out of over 100 surveyed news outlets spanning 46 countries, an impressive 73% see generative AI, which includes models like ChatGPT and Google Bard, as a realm ripe with potential.
Generative AI in Journalism
A notable 85% of respondents, including journalists, technologists, and managerial staff, have dabbled with genAI in various capacities. This experimentation extends to tasks like code writing, image creation, and summary generation.
The consensus among participants is that AI could potentially liberate time by tackling labor-intensive jobs such as interview transcriptions and fact-checking, thereby enabling more room for creativity.
One France-based AI strategy analyst emphasized the transformative potential of genAI, stating it could revolutionize how we interact with vast datasets, effectively leveling the playing field between individuals with varying degrees of data proficiency.
Despite the enthusiasm, participants stressed the necessity for human oversight in verifying AI-generated content to mitigate concerns over biases and inaccuracies.
Over 60% of respondents expressed apprehensions regarding the ethical implications of AI on journalistic principles, including accuracy, fairness, and transparency.
Interestingly, while global newsrooms grapple with AI integration challenges, those in the Global South face distinct hurdles. Language, infrastructure, and political obstacles were frequently mentioned.
Respondents observed that the benefits of AI tend to concentrate geographically in the Global North, where better resources and infrastructure are available. In contrast, many Global South countries contend with the cultural, social, and economic legacies of post-colonialism.
Crucial Chance
As 80% of participants foresee a surge in AI implementation in their newsrooms, the report emphasizes this moment as a crucial chance for journalists to augment their work through AI assistance.
Professor Charlie Beckett, co-author and Director of JournalismAI, remarked, "Journalism around the world is going through another period of exciting and scary technological change."
"Our survey shows that the new generative AI tools are a potential threat to the integrity of information and the news media. But they also offer an incredible opportunity to make journalism more efficient, effective and trustworthy. This survey is a fascinating snapshot of the news media at a critical juncture in its history."
Co-author and lead researcher Mira Yaseen also noted, "We've known that it's a double-edged sword, like almost everything, but what came through more clearly in our report this year was the global AI disparity. Currently, the economic and social benefits of AI are concentrated in the Global North and its harms disproportionately affect the Global South (e.g., algorithmic bias), exacerbating global inequality.
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