Global Audiences Say \\"Wait a Minute!\\" to AI-Powered Newsrooms 🤖🗞️
Hold onto your newsfeeds, folks! A new report has just dropped from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, and it’s shining a spotlight on how people really feel about robots writing the news. Spoiler alert: They're not exactly thrilled.
The study surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 47 countries and found that many of us are feeling kinda uneasy about AI-generated news content, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like politics. Can we really trust a machine to give us the lowdown on what's happening in the world?
With tech giants like Google and various startups rolling out AI tools that can summarize info faster than you can say \\"breaking news,\\" traditional news organizations are in a bit of a pickle. These new tools might even divert traffic away from news websites, hitting them where it hurts—in the revenue stream.
But here's the kicker: The public isn't exactly embracing AI news with open arms. In the survey, a whopping 63% of folks in the UK and 52% in the U.S. said they're uncomfortable with news that's primarily produced by AI. People seem more chill with AI working behind the scenes to help journalists, rather than taking center stage.
\\"It was surprising to see the level of suspicion,\\" said Nic Newman, senior research associate at the Reuters Institute and lead author of the Digital News Report. \\"People broadly had fears about what might happen to content reliability and trust.\\"
And it's not just AI that's causing jitters. The report found that worries about online misinformation are on the rise, with 59% of respondents expressing concern—a 3% jump from last year. This anxiety is especially high in countries like South Africa (81%) and the U.S. (72%), both gearing up for elections.
On top of that, news organizations are struggling to get people to pay for online news. Only 17% of respondents across 20 countries are shelling out for subscriptions, a number that's stuck in neutral for three years. Plus, a big chunk of U.S. subscribers (46%) are getting discounted rates, relying on those sweet promotional deals.
Meanwhile, news influencers are stepping up, especially on platforms like TikTok. In a survey of over 5,600 TikTok users who get their news from the app, 57% said they mostly pay attention to individual personalities, while only 34% follow journalists or news brands. Looks like the dance challenges aren't the only thing going viral!
\\"These influencers have a bigger role on the platforms,\\" Newman noted. \\"Newsrooms need to build a direct relationship with their audiences while also strategically using platforms to connect with people who are trickier to reach, like younger audiences.\\"
So, what's the takeaway? As AI continues to weave its way into our lives, both audiences and newsrooms are navigating uncharted territory. The key might just be finding the right balance between human touch and technological innovation. Stay tuned! 🌟
Reference(s):
Global audiences suspicious of AI-powered newsrooms, report finds
cgtn.com
