3 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Journalism

 Hannah Diffee

Professor Reppert

Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media

Fall 2024


3 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Journalism


Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the world as we know it. AI is the "ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings" (Britannica), such as generating images or text, solving problems, making predictions, and finding patterns. It is quickly gaining application in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail to make tasks autonomous or more efficient.

Many AI platforms are prominent in everyday consumer use. One such platform is Character.ai, a free, interactive chatbot service where users can converse with artificial renditions of real people and fictional characters. The messages users send can shape the responses of the character bots they interact with. Below is a screenshot of a chat room with Asuka Langley Soryuu from the 1997 anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. 


At the end of 2023, C.ai accounted for 15.77% of overall AI traffic on the web (Techopedia). The C.ai mobile app has over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store, and the app's user-friendly format allows users to navigate seamlessly between chats and the character creation tab. 

The Unreliable Nature of Artificial Intelligence
While artificial intelligence has multiple advantages, information gathered by generative AI is only sometimes reliable. In May, Google launched its AI Overview feature, which provides users with quick, organized analyses of search results. AI Overview combines data from the web to give users detailed answers to nuanced questions.

"For example, maybe you're looking for a new yoga or pilates studio, and you want one that's popular with locals, conveniently located for your commute, and also offers a discount for new members. Soon, with just one search, you'll be able to ask something like 'find the best yoga or pilates studios in Boston and show me details on their intro offers, and walking time from Beacon Hill.'"

When AI Overview was first launched, it gained negative media attention (and inspired many memes) for sharing false information, including the following:
  • It is okay to leave a dog in a hot car.
  • Barack Obama was the first gay president of the United States.
  • You should eat at least one small rock per day.
Google's artificial intelligence failed to distinguish between factual information and satire, making the overview feature unreliable.

On May 30, Google shared a statement detailing how the AI system works and the improvements made to limit the feature from providing misleading advice.

Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
Like in many fields, artificial intelligence has gained application in journalism. Journalists have adapted to the technology amid rising concerns that machines will eventually replace human jobs. In 2023, India Today introduced Sana, India's first AI news anchor. The virtual anchor would provide news segments daily (in multiple languages) and host a question-and-answer session to interact with her audience. The goal of Sana was not to fully replace traditional news anchors but to simply showcase the power of artificial intelligence. 

"Sana does not take away from the brilliance of real-life anchors, who will be mentoring her. Sana will have a human surrogate editor and hopefully company soon." - Kalli Purie, Vice-Chairperson of India Today

In April, India Today and Sana won the International News Media Association (INMA) 2024 Global Media Award for pioneering 'AI-led newsroom transformation.'


Media companies in the United States have begun experimenting with AI as well, with Channel 1 using a cast of AI-generated reporters and digital avatars.

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