AI in newsrooms is fast but lacks a moral compass
Embracing AI in journalism requires clear ethical standards and a commitment to human oversight.
We have the newsroom of our future. Robots are writing articles, filing news reports and opinion pieces without a journalist lifting their eyes, and bots tweeting breaking news before humans can even blink their fingers.
Although automation and AI are highly regarded for their efficiency, journalism as a profession and practice face significant ethical challenges.
AI technologies can now generate news content at incredibly speeds.
However, there are still pressing issues to be resolved.
The ability to analyse vast datasets, generate arbitrary reports, and mimic the writing style of journalists is made possible by algorithms.
ALSO READ: Hidden dangers of increasingly advanced AI assistants
Automated reporting of corporate earnings or sports recaps is one way in which The Associated Press frees up time for reporters to focus on more comprehensive stories, thanks to AI.
The frightening reality is such systems too often rely on algorithms premised on a limited number of data inputs.
This privileging of some sources threatens biased news agendas, marginalising underreported groups.
Automation could reinforce existing media biases and produce content that does not exhibit diversity or can be interpreted critically.
The use of AI technologies raises doubts about its potential to violate ethical standards. Journalists must adhere to the professional standards of fairness, accuracy and inclusivity, which involve human judgment and editorial supervision.
ALSO READ: Why your phone camera could derail justice
The lack of transparency or accountability in using automated tools can lead to a failure to maintain these values and, ultimately, undermine public trust.
Despite its efficiency benefits, automated stories must be ethically integrated to ensure journalism are not compromised.
This raises ethical concerns regarding the media's adherence to the principles of fairness, proportion, and harm reduction.
Does the existence of a machine have the ability to perceive the long-term social consequences of publishing sensitive stories?
Would the cost of naming someone as guilty before due process exceed the potential suffering caused by this action?
ALSO READ: AI job takeover begins: Mediclinic replaces admin staff to save R2 billion
Although AI technologies create content, its primary limitations are its inability to interpret meaning, or reflect ethical responsibility.
The core of journalism lies in its ability to convey facts and ensuring that those in positions of power are held accountable.
Once algorithms take over, we may lose the ability to serve these essential purposes.
Are we witnessing a gradual demise of real journalism? Not yet. But we are at a crossroads.
If we play catch up, while surrendering too much to AI technologies, we will awaken to a world where news is quick, cheap, and dangerously hollow.
ALSO READ: The rise of AI tools and their impact on smartphone use
The future of journalism is not what AI is capable of doing, but what we choose to let it.
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