Technology has enhanced the effectiveness of work in various disciplines, including journalism, which has enabled journalists to improve their work. However, the emergence of technology, such as Artificial Intelligence tools, has raised different concerns about its legitimate use in Journalism. The use of AI in journalism has gained acceptance among journalists. Due to its efficiency, AI has the potential to influence how news is produced and consumed. Its proliferation into the newsroom has also raised concerns for equity and ethics. AI usage in journalism has created some myths and misconceptions surrounding the use of AI in journalism. These myths are dispelled in the following points shared below.
AI will Replace Journalists
This is one of the widely discussed myths of using artificial intelligence in journalism. Some people believe that human effort will be replaced with AI, but that is not totally true. Even though AI can perform some tasks such as transcription, editing, and data scripting, it lacks the function to write investigative stories and also report news with empathy and critical thinking. AI is expected to complement journalistic work without replacing it. What journalists need most in the era of AI is a mental shift on how to deploy AI into their work. This is possible through upskilling and capacity training of journalists. While AI will not replace journalists, it will be more beneficial to those who understand the nuances of using it in their workflow. In a report by Al Jazeera, it was noted that despite the advancements in technology that have ravaged different professions, including journalism, it is a natural phenomenon to feel terrified. Meanwhile, the antecedent revelations of technological adaptation have shown that technological advancement brings more opportunities. While the introduction of technology such as AI into journalism may not relegate some jobs, it will require adaptation to fit into other roles it creates.
AI will Cut Costs
One misconception about AI in journalism is that it will allow management in the newsroom to cut costs due to automation and the reduction of operating costs. For instance, according to PwC, by 2030, artificial intelligence is expected to add approximately $150 billion annually to the global media and entertainment industry’s value. This increase will be as a result of the increase in productivity and quality. Though there are various AI tools that can promote the work of journalists. Meanwhile, the majority come with a commitment of a subscription fee; there are some that are free and still open for use. For instance, ChatGPT.
AI Produces High-Quality Content
Though AI can generate content on various topics, most time, it lacks depth, originality, and insight compared to the one written by professional journalists. Generative contents can only provide information on what has been used to train the machine. An original content will require the initiative of a professional journalist. According to Paul Shanley, director of business development and partnership, Associated Press, he stated that AI challenges editorial standards and also threatens the trust that audiences place in the media. Though technology may change the systemic workflow in the newsroom, it does not change the ethical standards of journalism. AI might be useful for some automation tasks and engagement, but it should never decrease the quality of work being done.
AI is a Time-Saving Tool Without Consequences
Most times, AI is attributed as a time saving tool. For instance, in a campaign, a father uses Google Gemini to help draft a letter on behalf of his daughter to an Olympic athlete she admires. The assurance that AI is perfect without consequences is a myth. While AI improves efficiency, it has its own downside such as transparency issues, plagiarism and also raises trust issues. The productivity myth implies that any task that requires time should be automated so as to free up time for other tasks.
AI Always Boosts Worker Productivity
Another misconception is that AI directly leads to an increase in productivity. While AI can help to achieve some tasks quickly, the general outcome of using AI for productivity is not certain. For instance, research data shows that 96% of C-suite executives expect AI to improve employee productivity; meanwhile, 77% of workers report that it has, in fact, increased their workload.
AI Possesses Human-Like Intelligence
Believing that AI possesses human-like intelligence with good decision-making is a myth. AI lacks the ability to research, write, and edit with the same ability as a trained Journalist. Most times, AI lacks the critical thinking to draw conclusions on a different subject. The comprehension of AI is based on pattern, not meaning. Also, AIs are designed to solve specific problems, and their output is mostly within the jurisdiction of the data they are trained on. This makes it difficult for them to work with human-like intelligence. AI is not sufficient on its own. It still needs human intelligence to give good outcomes through ethical decision-making. According to nele.ai, the claim that AI can totally replace human intelligence is unrealistic and misleading. Rather, the most important thing is to use both the capacity of AI and human intelligence to solve problems and create efficiency in different areas.
AI Can Effortlessly Scale Journalism Without Compromise
The scaling myth assumes that journalistic output can reach more audiences without compromising on the ethics and quality of the work of journalists. Though AI helps in producing content, it sometimes overlooks other critical aspects of journalism work, such as investigative work. AI can only provide information based on what the machine has been trained on. It will likely produce surface-level reporting. To ensure the scalability of journalism, there should be a balance between using AI and also recognising human effort for accuracy and meaningfulness of stories. Also, since AI is fed on specific kinds of data, and such data can be prone to error, this can affect the accuracy of the outcome it produces. Jacob Kappus noted that the credibility of AI output is as good as the data on which it is trained. When there is societal bias in the data, it can reflect in decision-making, which can affect hiring, finance, and law enforcement.
Final Thought
Artificial intelligence is a great tool for journalism, and its impact cannot be overemphasised. Nevertheless, its adoption poses some challenges to journalism ethics. As the media landscape evolves, AI will definitely shape journalism. It is essential to distinguish between overstatement and reality. The myths of using AI in journalism, such as job replacement and assumption of effortless scalability, show poor distinction from what AI can and cannot do. Let alone seeing AI as a threat or game-changer, journalists and newsrooms must see it as a tool that requires thoughtfulness and human input. Defying these myths is not only about adopting technology, but it also emphasised the core values that journalism requires. Accuracy, integrity, and empathy must be reflected in every story.
