AI may transform journalism but not replace human judgment

BEIJING: Artificial intelligence (AI) may transform how news is gathered, produced and distributed, but it can never replace the human judgment, integrity and instincts that underpin credible journalism, according to leaders of major international news agencies.

Reuters president Paul Bascobert said that while AI could improve newsroom efficiency and expand journalists' capabilities, the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, assess sources and understand human behaviour remained fundamentally human.

"While AI is a valuable tool, what makes a good journalist is something no machine can supply. The ability to gain people's trust, to read people, to understand nuances in conversation.

"A reporter notices the hesitation before someone answers, the change in tone when a question is asked, the glance away that says more than words. Those signals are human, and they are often where the real story sits," he said.

He was delivering his address during the plenary session of the 7th World Media Summit (WMS) held at the Great Hall of the People here on Saturday.

Bascobert said Reuters viewed AI as a tool to support journalists through tasks such as searching large volumes of material, transcribing interviews and identifying patterns in data.

"We automate tasks; we do not automate judgment."

Agence France-Presse president and chief executive officer Fabrice Fries echoed the view, saying the future of AI was closely tied to the sustainability of professional journalism.

"AI systems ultimately depend on the qualit y of the information ecosystem they are built upon. If trustworthy journalism weakens, the reliability of AI will eventually weaken as well.

"Without a steady flow of original reporting grounded in reality, AI risks becoming trapped in a closed loop of synthetic content feeding synthetic content. In such a world, systems may become more powerful, but certainly not more trustworthy," he added.

Fries also called on AI companies to compensate news organisations for their original journalism.

Meanwhile, The Associated Press president and chief executive officer Daisy Veerasingham said technological advancements must strengthen, rather than undermine, the fundamental principles of journalism.

She said independent journalism remained essential in an increasingly complex information environment, particularly as AI made it easier to produce and spread misinformation and convincing deepfakes.

Veerasingham also called for clear standards governing AI use, alongside frameworks that protect intellectual property and recognise the value of original reporting.

The 7th WMS, themed "Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action", brings together media leaders, government representatives, academics and industry experts from over 100 countries to discuss the future of journalism and the impact of emerging technologies. — BERNAMA