I asked the popular AI app ChatGPT to answer the following questions: Can journalism survive AI?
The reason I was entrusted with this task is rather a gloomy report This question comes from the Brookings Institution.
Brookings, a Washington, D.C. think tank, concluded that the dominance of search, advertising and data had “extincted” the journalism industry. Artificial intelligence is the second punch that could kill journalism if the organizations that produce it fail to adapt.
In response to my question, ChatGPT claimed: “AI can automate certain aspects of the news gathering process, but it cannot replicate the creativity and intuition that drives groundbreaking investigative journalism. “Uncovering corruption, exposing injustice, and giving voice to marginalized communities requires human reporters to dig deep into stories, connect with sources, and uncover truths that may be hidden beneath the surface.”
The bottom line is that “AI can complement journalism, but it cannot replace it.”
So even AI acknowledges that it cannot replace journalism.
Can an algorithm act as a watchdog?
If it's AI could do If we replace journalism, the only thing we have to worry about is that journalists who make their living by reporting the news and uncovering corruption and malfeasance will have to find other jobs.
And the advantage of robots actually reporting corruption is that it is difficult to kidnap them or threaten their families. These are the same types of threats that hundreds of journalists face around the world.
You could imagine some powerful world leader threatening Mark Zuckerberg's life or family, and some tweaks being made to the AI algorithm as a result. But the same thing can happen to the heads of media organizations, who can then force journalists to step away from their various news beats. Those media outlets are the ones reporting the news, but will we even know it's happening?
The reality is that artificial intelligence could kill journalism without replacing it, leaving people without information they can rely on. Without reliable, reliable news sources, rumors spread and take on a life of their own. People panic, riot, and revolt based on misinformation and fear. Illegality is rampant.
Entire media outlets are disappearing right now. According to a Brookings report, 2.5 local media outlets closed each week in the United States last year.
Data collected by researcher Amy Watson in August 2023 showed that more news outlets in the UK will close than open each year over the ten years to 2022. CNN reported in June 2023 that Bild, Germany's largest media company, was laying off 20% of its employees and replacing them with artificial intelligence.
Do algorithms have all the answers?
However, ChatGPT said: “ Rather than viewing AI as a threat, journalists can leverage the technology to enhance their work. Automated tools help with tasks like data analysis, fact-checking, and content distribution, freeing up reporters’ time to focus on more complex, impactful storytelling.”
Tom Heneghan, one of News Decoder's many human correspondents, spoke to the students. About this topic There was some optimism expressed in November. “This will take away a lot of the hard work that journalists have to do,” Heneghan said. “It’s amazing how much work is done by someone at a much higher level than is actually necessary.”
Once these tasks are automated, journalists can pursue more substantive stories, he said. Additionally, as things like deepfake technology become more sophisticated, tasks like fact-checking and verification will become more important.
“This is going to happen more and more,” Heneghan said. “What artificial intelligence takes away may actually create other jobs.”
So the important points are: We don’t need to fear AI eliminating the important role of journalism. That means informing the public with accurate information, reporting from diverse perspectives so minority voices are heard, and exposing corruption, exploitation and oppression. If the The corporations that control the purse strings of journalism have committed themselves to public service functions.
Morality of Media Companies
We then asked ChatGPT the following questions: Are media companies driven solely by money?
The report concluded: “It is true that financial considerations influence the actions of media companies, but they are not the only driving force behind their decisions.”
“A complex interplay of financial goals, social responsibility and personal values shapes the behavior of these companies. Understanding this multifaceted nature is essential to accurately assess the role and influence of media companies in modern society.”
This was reassuring until I saw the disclaimer at the bottom of the AI page.
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check out important information.