AI in Journalism: Uncovering the Mysterious World of Computer Generated Text and News-Writing Robots!

By: Mary Amoroso

Are the computers really here to take over? Was 2001 Space Odyssey foreshadowing the inevitable evil HAL 9000 takeover? We sat down with panelists Paul Cheung, CEO, The Center for Public Integrity, Christopher Chung, Managing Editor, SmartNews, Paris Martineau, Feature Writer and Investigative Reporter, The Information, and Surya Mattu, Lead, Digital Witness Lab led by Moderator Brian Stelter, Special Correspondent, Vanity Fair; Author, Network of Lies for their insights into the effects of AI on journalism focusing on the challenges and opportunities.

Brian kicked off the conversation by asking, “what is the role of AI today, in the news business?” Christopher was quick to explain that we are working with a new form of generative AI which we have not previously seen before. What ‘generative AI’ means is that instead of its previous use for algorithms and machine learning, now AI is generating writing for us. As Brian chimed in, “AI is writing full news stories,” which posed the question that is on everyone's mind, are they, or should they be writing any story? Paul chimed in with the fact that AI cannot conduct investigative journalism, a big challenge for AI as this has to remain human generated and checked, to prevent the spread of misinformation. As we know, AI isn't always factually accurate. Another aspect under discussion is the loss of human touch in AI-generated stories. From the beginning of time humans have been storytellers. From early cave drawings depicting buffalo hunting, to the rosetta stone, we seek to communicate and understand each other. Can computers really mimic that in tone, voice, and intention? 

Despite the concerns and challenges associated with AI, a significant majority of both the panelists and the audience members raised their hands in acknowledgment of having utilized various AI platforms like ChatGPT, Trint, or Otter.ai. Journalists expressed their anxieties regarding the potential of AI replacing their roles. However, amidst the discussions about emerging regulations and legislative constraints, Christopher emphasized, “Journalists should learn to use AI because journalists who don't know how to use AI may be replaced by AI.” Journalists ought to integrate AI as a resource alongside their own ideas and writing, rather than depending on it exclusively.

AI can be harnessed for beneficial applications as well. Brian highlighted its potential to automatically transcribe local town hall and school board meetings, creating a readily accessible record for everyone. Furthermore, AI can be employed for legal tasks and data accessibility, facilitating efficiency by providing a historical record of changes and thus reducing the need for manual transcription, ultimately saving time and human resources.

Key take-aways from our panelists on the subject of AI and journalism are: 

“Read the news, subscribe to your paper, and be a very critical reader.” - Christopher Chung

“Be open to learning new things, don’t be scared of new things, play with them, learn how they work and [let them] empower you.” - Surya Mattu

“Read, read, read some more…I think there is a tendency to let these tools do the heavy lifting in terms of analysis of a large amount of content, but be open to the fact that sometimes trudging through that is where you can find the greatest ideas” - Paris Martineau

“Technology is not someone else's problem, it is all of our problems so be informed and ready to engage” - Paul Cheung

From this panel I was able to take away the fact that in the pursuit of staying informed and empowered in the digital age, one should read the news critically and subscribe to credible sources. Embrace new technologies without fear, exploring their functionalities to gain empowerment. Consistent reading and in-depth analysis are key, as the greatest ideas often emerge from thorough examination. Technology is a collective concern, urging us all to stay informed and actively participate in its evolving landscape. Check out our upcoming events for more panels like this one!