A recent report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism highlights growing global skepticism towards artificial intelligence (AI) in news production. As AI tools become more prevalent in creating news content, newsrooms around the world are facing new challenges in maintaining audience trust.
The study surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 47 countries, revealing significant anxiety about AI-generated news, especially on sensitive topics like politics. In the UK, 63 percent of respondents expressed discomfort with AI-produced news, while in the U.S., the figure stood at 52 percent.
Despite the rise of generative AI technologies from tech giants like Google and various startups, the public remains wary. The report suggests that while audiences are open to AI being used behind the scenes to enhance journalistic efficiency, they are hesitant to consume news primarily created by AI.
Nic Newman, the senior research associate at the Reuters Institute and lead author of the Digital News Report, noted, \"It was surprising to see the level of suspicion. People broadly had fears about what might happen to content reliability and trust.\"
Additionally, concerns about online misinformation have increased by 3 percent compared to the previous year, with 59 percent of survey participants worried about the accuracy of the news they consume. This worry is particularly high in countries like South Africa (81 percent) and the U.S. (72 percent), both of which are currently in election years.
The report also sheds light on the struggles news organizations face in attracting paying subscribers. Only 17 percent of respondents across 20 countries reported paying for online news, a stagnant figure over the past three years. In the U.S., nearly half of the subscribers (46 percent) are benefiting from discounted rates, indicating a reliance on promotional offers rather than genuine commitment.
In the digital age, influencers on platforms like TikTok are increasingly shaping news consumption habits. Among over 5,600 TikTok users surveyed, 57 percent pay attention to individual personalities for news, compared to 34 percent who follow traditional journalists or news brands.
The findings suggest that newsrooms need to foster direct relationships with their audiences while strategically leveraging online platforms to reach younger demographics. \"We see that these influencers have a bigger role on the platforms,\" Newman added.
Reference(s):
Global audiences suspicious of AI-powered newsrooms, report finds
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