AI can’t replace journalism – it runs on it

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Think about the advent of the printing press, electricity and the internet.Some jobs will inevitably be sacrificed on the pyre of progress, but always with the promise that many more would spring forth in their place.Journalism, however, has yet to witness the benefit of that promise.The great democratisation(Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for DFL)AI’s proponents will argue that information has finally been democratised. However, one can’t help but wonder just how sustainable this “great democratisation” really is.For instance, what becomes of these LLMs once the food source they depend upon – the work of journalists and publishers, large and small – ceases to exist?Without the incredible effort of investigative journalists and reporters who work tirelessly to verify sources and deliver factual, valuable new information into the public sphere, AI will tip over the edge into a dark age of endless recycling of what already exists.In other words, the snake will begin to eat its own tail.Even if we can put to one side well-documented concerns over hallucinations, misinterpretation of information, or reliance on outdated facts, the long-term challenge remains the same.

If original reporting is allowed to die out, can we absolutely trust AI to fill the void to a standard we all feel comfortable with?The future of AI and journalism(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Make no mistake: AI is very much the intruder here in this space. But our relationship with it does not have to be defined by hostility or that nagging sense of impending professional extinction.In fact, it couldn’t be clearer that AI depends on journalism more than journalism depends on AI.It needs journalists.

So, this is a very real concern, which goes some way to demonstrating the need for human judgement to provide balance, empathy and accountability when building a story.That’s not to say AI has absolutely no place in the future of journalism. Likewise, AI-powered tools could also be of service when analysing vast quantities of data, helping journalists identify patterns and transform complex information into accessible reporting.Of course, this has to be built on the understanding that the algorithmic systems governing AI are still incredibly flawed at making consistently sound editorial decisions on their own.On that basis, there’s a real opportunity here to safeguard the future of journalism without stripping the profession of its humanity.