Uses of Generative AI in the Newsroom

Mapping Journalists’ Perceptions of Perils and Possibilities

Bibliographic Data

ID12909308
AuthorsHannes Cools (0000-0002-4626-1527, University of Amsterdam, corresponding author), Nicholas Diakopoulos (0000-0001-5005-6123, Northwestern University)
Year2024
Volume20
Issue3
Pages878-896
Publication date2024-08-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism Practice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1751-2786 • E-ISSN: 1751-2794
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17512786.2024.2394558
OpenAlexW4401926094
LanguageEN
Citations received70
References cited29

This study delves into journalists' perspectives on the perils and possibilities of using generative AI-tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and DALL-E in the newsroom. Semi-structured interviews with journalists from The Netherlands, and Denmark, who self-identify as early adopters of generative AI-tools, were conducted. Results reveal 16 different specific uses of generative-AI tools across the news reporting process, mostly situated in the news production and distribution phase. The rationale for specific uses (or non-uses) of generative AI were grounded in journalistic intuitions and gut feeling. While journalists appreciate the advantages of these tools, such as improved efficiency and data handling capabilities, respondents also voice concerns about the potential for harm to journalism's accuracy and credibility, as well as ethical considerations like algorithmic bias. The study further emphasizes the necessity of providing journalists with sufficient education and algorithmic literacy in using generative AI tools, as well as the significance of ongoing monitoring and assessment to guarantee their ethical and responsible usage in journalism

Citizen journalism · Generative grammar · Journalism · Media studies · Perception · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Computational and Text Analysis Methods · Computer Science · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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