The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in media has sparked a heated debate. Is it a valuable tool or a threat to journalism’s integrity? While some denounce AI as a job-stealing harbinger of doom, the reality in many struggling newsrooms is far more nuanced. Indeed, the recent spate of AI-written articles that read like they were penned by a malfunctioning toaster hasn’t done much to inspire confidence. But these high-profile failures obscure a more practical application of AI in journalism: cost-effective assistance.
Forget robot reporters churning out Pulitzer-prize prose. The real value of AI lies in automating mundane tasks. Think transcribing interviews, generating quick graphics for social media, extracting data from reports, and even creating rough drafts for human journalists to refine.
You cannot pay your bills with somebody’s opinion
With the digital duopoly of Google and Facebook dominating advertising revenue, news organizations are facing unprecedented financial pressure. Subscriptions alone rarely cover the costs of producing quality journalism. This economic reality necessitates finding innovative solutions, and AI offers a viable path to cost-efficiency.
It’s easy to be high-minded when you’re not dealing with the reality that our industry has constant layoffs. We all want to do in-depth investigative pieces and meaningful journalism, but who’s going to pay for them if you can’t even keep the website running?
AI assistance
However, in an era of shrinking budgets and increasing competition, AI offers a lifeline to news organizations committed to delivering accurate and engaging journalism. It’s not about replacing humans; it’s about equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.
