AI on the Rise Sparks Media Debate

In the rapidly evolving world of media, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are leading the charge, offering unprecedented opportunities but also posing ethical, operational, and educational challenges. This transformation was the focus of the event "AI-Driven Newsrooms and Journalism Education," organised by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

Over the past decade, the media industry has experienced significant disruption due to technological advancements. The shift to mobile platforms has brought financial instability to news organisations, as consumption habits have shifted from traditional websites to these platforms, changing audience behaviour and revenue models.

Jo Hironaka, in her remarks, highlighted the impact of the Web 2.0 era, where social media and search algorithms disconnected readers from curated newspaper homepages, leaving media outlets vulnerable to unpredictable algorithm changes. Today, audiences are directed to news sites via search engines and social feeds.

David Caswell, in arguing that AI is less about replacing journalism than reshaping it, pointed out that AI is widely used for tasks such as translation, transcription, subtitling, and fact-checking in journalism. However, Chatrine Siswoyo cautioned against overreliance on AI, stating that while it is fast and efficient, it is not transformative and not fully trustworthy.

The disappearance of classified ad revenues has undermined the traditional business model of media outlets, further complicating the landscape. The event aimed to help prepare new generations of reporters for the AI-driven media landscape, exploring how AI is reshaping journalism.

Navigating changes in infrastructure, processes, products, competition, and power structures is a challenge that the media is currently facing. The overwhelming flow of news feeds across platforms due to the shift to digital media also presents a unique set of challenges.

News organisations struggle to maintain relevance in this digital age. However, the event discussed the risks and opportunities AI brings to the media industry, aiming to equip journalists and media outlets with the knowledge and tools to thrive in this new landscape. The future of journalism lies in embracing and adapting to these technological advancements while maintaining the integrity and credibility that underpins the profession.