Globally, concerns about using artificial intelligence in news production and the spread of misinformation are increasing. According to a report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, this presents new challenges for newsrooms already struggling to attract audiences.
The annual Digital News Report, released on Monday, is based on a survey of nearly 100,000 people across 47 countries. It highlights the obstacles news media face in boosting revenue and maintaining their operations.
Newsrooms worldwide are facing new challenges from generative artificial intelligence tools being developed by tech giants and startups like Google and OpenAI, which can provide summaries and draw traffic away from news sites.
However, the report found that consumers are skeptical about the use of artificial intelligence to create news content, especially on sensitive topics such as politics.
According to the survey, 52% of respondents in the United States and 63% in the United Kingdom expressed discomfort with news primarily generated by artificial intelligence. The report, which surveyed 2,000 people in each country, noted that respondents were more accepting of AI being used behind the scenes to improve journalists' efficiency.
"It is surprising to see this level of skepticism," said Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute and lead author of the Digital News Report. "There is a general concern that the reliability and trustworthiness of content could be affected."
The report shows that concerns about online false news content have increased by three percentage points compared to last year, with 59% of respondents expressing worry. In South Africa and the United States, the proportion is higher at 81% and 72%, respectively, as both countries face elections this year.
