3 - AI in Journalism

 

    
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way information is created, exchanged, obtained, and interacted with. The development of this new intelligence has swept the internet, creating a space where information can easily be manipulated to benefit human life. This comes with drawbacks, however, as the unreliability of AI is called to question and whether this neural network is truly factual. But what exactly is artificial intelligence, and how is the future of journalism impacted?

What is AI?
NASA defines AI as "computer systems that can perform complex tasks normally done by human reasoning, decision making, creating, etc." This intelligence is highly capable of performing a task under various circumstances without human oversight. AI then mimics many human behaviors and abilities such as "perception, cognition, planning, learning, communication, and [in some cases] physical action" when generating ideas. These functions are designed to imitate a human's ability, creating a network that can be both relatable and informational.

AI primarily learns from algorithms and data without the need to program code updates; this creates a space where AI is constantly obtaining new information without needing to be prompted. The capabilities of this network are astronomical: generating pictures, fabricating videos, analyzing data, producing accessible information, summarizing texts, and many other functions. The chances of scrolling through a feed without coming across some form of artificial intelligence is unheard of. 

Take a look at the video below and see if you are able to spot the differences between what is real and what is AI:

What is AI Used For?
Artificial intelligence has been used for a wide variety of purposes:
  • Digital assistants (Siri/Alexa)

  • Search engines (ChatGPT)

  • Social media

  • Online shopping

  • Robots (Roombas)

  • Navigation (Google Maps)

  • Text editing/autocorrect (Grammarly)

  • Fraud prevention

  • Predictions

  • Gaming

  • Healthcare

  • Advertising

  • Analytics 

  • Many other needs

When looking at this table, the prevalence of AI is vast. According to intel, this neural network enhances human capabilities to create a more immersive, personalized experience where humans can "unlock new levels of creativity, discovery, and efficiency." Artificial intelligence simply eases the tedious tasks of everyday life, creating a space where humans are able to focus on other areas. 

How Does AI Affect Journalism?
Because artificial intelligence is capable of fabricating text based on information, journalism may be at risk. Journalism can truly only survive when adapting to the business models of the AI era

To combat the prevalence of AI, journalists are trying to move forward by harnessing the powers of this learning network in their writing in several ways. Because AI can generate ideas on specific topics, journalists can now focus on more complex and investigative stories. Data can quickly be analyzed, meaning that journalists focus less on crunching the numbers and more on informing the public. There are also many language tools that people can utilize, bridging the gap between language barriers and creating a world where more people are in the now. 

That isn't to say that artificial intelligence does not have limitations. Although this network can mimic human intelligence, replicating these behaviors physically is challenging. This network cannot enter a courtroom, administer a vaccine, or refute a verbal statement; AI simply cannot reach beyond the screen. This network also suffers from a lack of common sense or rationality, leading to inaccurate responses and a lack of emotional and creative depth.

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized information, though not without drawbacks. This network eases the responsibilities of everyday life while directly targeting human language and emotion. As we move toward a new future, consumers should be aware of how AI may be in-factual (as information is always being streamlined in) and verify the legitimacy of what they are seeing. The world of technology is always evolving, and we as humans need to evolve alongside it. 

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