Gone are the days of traditional newsrooms; welcome to the age of Artificial Intelligence, where journalism meets innovation.

A quick history of the field and technologies impacting it

Journalism has evolved significantly alongside technological advancements. Journalists used to rely on print newspapers and hand-operated presses. They then had access to steam-powered presses, allowing mass production of newspapers—the first mass communication of news to the population. We saw the telegraph arrive not long after, enabling instant long-distance news transmission. We could now reach far and wide.

Then came the radio and television, revolutionizing news delivery with audio-visual content and live broadcasts enabled by satellite technology. We could now hook people even more with interesting visuals and add more and more personality to the content we share. 

Finally, the digital revolution arrived, shifting from print to digital platforms and the rise of online news portals, and blogs, further enhanced by the advent of computers, word processors, and mobile devices, including the phone you have probably checked a minute ago. These technological strides have continuously transformed journalism into the dynamic and instantaneously accessible field we know today. AI is another step in that direction, changing how journalists create stories.

Current use cases of AI for the field

But what about how it works right now? The current workflow involves various digital tools and platforms. Research and investigation rely on digital archives, Googling, and databases, with social media offering real-time updates and public opinion insights. Something we can keep an eye on, but no human can analyze this vast amount of information in real time on their own. Data journalism utilizes big data and analytics to dig up stories, while content creation has shifted to digital mediums like Google Docs and CMS platforms, integrating multimedia elements such as videos, images, and audio for the pleasure of the users. Verification of misinformation and fact-checking are increasingly supported by digital tools.

As you already know and use, the distribution of news has now moved to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram and aggregator apps, with reader engagement encouraged through interactive online platforms with comments you should

probably never read and articles optimized with tons of analytics tools. All of those already leverage AI in some way.

Here are some ways AI is being used in Journalism [2024]

Automated Content Generation

Automated content generation through AI is vital in journalism for handling routine and data-heavy reporting, allowing human journalists to focus on more complex stories that require nuanced investigation and interpretation. AI tools like Wordsmith by Automated Insights are used extensively by organizations like the Associated Press (AP) to produce quick, accurate articles about sports results, earnings reports, and other data-driven topics. For example, the AP uses AI to generate thousands of financial reports each quarter, significantly more than human writers could produce, ensuring timely and broad coverage. This automation is not just about speed but also about scalability and consistency, as these tools can handle vast amounts of data and maintain a uniform tone and style that aligns with the publication’s standards. 

• News organizations make extensive use of AI products and infrastructure from major tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft across various aspects of their operations.

• Larger, better resourced news organizations are more likely to engage in in-house AI development. The majority of other publishers, especially smaller ones, opt for third-party solutions from platform companies because of the high costs associated with custom AI.
• Publishers turn to platform companies’ AI offerings due to the costs and challenges associated with independent development, including the need for extensive computing power, competition for tech talent, and the scarcity of large datasets. The convenience, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of platform offerings make them attractive, allowing publishers to leverage AI capabilities without the financial burden of in-house development.
• Despite reservations in some quarters of the news industry, the adoption of “platform AI” is largely viewed as a pragmatic choice driven by economic challenges and the competitive landscape for tech talent.
• The complexity of AI increases platform companies’ control over news organizations, creating lock-in effects that risk keeping news organizations tethered to technology companies. This limits news organizations’ autonomy and renders them vulnerable to price hikes or the shifting priorities of technology companies that may not align with their own. 
• The lack of transparency in AI systems raises worries about biases or errors creeping into journalistic output, especially as generative AI models gain prominence. There is also a risk that the use of AI undercuts journalists’ autonomy by limiting their discretionary decision-making abilities.

The growing use of AI in news work tilts the balance of power toward technology companies, raising concerns about “rent” extraction and potential threats to publishers’ autonomy business models, particularly those reliant on search-driven traffic. As platforms prioritize AI-enhanced search experiences, publishers fear a shift where users opt for short answers, impacting audience engagement and highlighting the increasing control exerted by platform companies over the information ecosystem.

As we reflect on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in journalism, it’s clear that this technological wave is not just reshaping the tools of the trade but is fundamentally altering the very fabric of how news is created and consumed. The deployment of AI across various facets of journalism—from automated content generation to sophisticated audience analytics—underscores a broader shift towards more data-driven, efficient, and personalized media practices. These advancements promise a future where journalism not only moves at the speed of light but also maintains the depth and accuracy necessary to inform and engage a global audience. This journey through AI’s impact on journalism highlights not just a technological evolution, but a renaissance in the age-old quest to tell stories that matter.