“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into journalism raises both hopes for positive transformation and fears about its ethical and professional implications. For the Council of Journalistic Ethics and Mediation(CDJM), the rise of artificial intelligence raises a series of questions:
“Will this put some of the professionals whose tasks can now be carried out by simple software out of work? How can we ensure fair remuneration for authors and editors whose content feeds the corpus of generative AI, and who can legitimately demand a share in the value thus created? Can we really rely on technologies whose biases have often been denounced, accentuating the discrimination suffered by part of the population? Can they lead to a weakening of our democracies?
Other questions raised by Le Monde
“How can we guarantee editorial independence if opaque linguistic models governed by private interests are used by editorial staff? How can we guarantee the integrity of information when the majority of web content will be generated by AI? How can we avoid the fragmentation of information space? in a multitude of flows powered by conversational robots?”
Three types of risks are identified by the CDJM
Benefits of AI in Journalism
AI offers tools that optimize the effectiveness of journalists. Low-risk tasks such as
- spelling correction,
- automatic translation of documentation,
- offer well-referenced titles on social networks,
- produce inserts or summaries, or even
- transcription of recordings into text,
- citation extraction
- generating article ideas from circulating trends,
- create drafts of publications to publish on social networks,
- analysis of complex files
are examples of how AI increases productivity without compromising journalistic integrity. These tools allow journalists to focus on more critical aspects of their craft, such as in-depth analysis, prioritization of information and fact-checking.
Their role goes well beyond verifying sources and producing information; it involves acting as a mediator with a public whose needs and reading habits they learn to understand by interacting with them. . They develop their ability to be the messengers of often complex news to an often heterogeneous audience. They provide intelligible translations of this rich complexity, much more than the simple concatenation of data.
Ethical and professional risks
However, the use of AI is not without risks. Ethical problems arisefor example, in the automatic translation of articles in a foreign language, in advanced text-to-speech synthesis for automatic oral reading of texts with risk of loss of meaning, in the creation of simplified content and in the synthesis of electoral texts. , sporting or scientific results, where errors can have serious consequences.
The production and processing of illustrations and images, with the risk of circulation of counterfeits; automated updating of content based on new available data, leading to a loss of control over sources; and ranking articles by keywords, leading to reviews.
Major concerns are also being raised about the potential loss of journalistic jobs and an over-reliance on technologies that introduce bias or factual errors linked to automated outsourcing of information and less control.
AI and the value of journalism
For twenty years, the transformation of the relationship with information has accelerated with the arrival of free paper newspapers, then with the dissemination of information and rumors via social networks, real amplifiers of trends. The effect of AI on journalism should not be viewed solely in terms of technological risks or benefits. It is also about preserving fundamental value of journalism as a pillar of democracy. Journalists must learn to use AI as a tool to strengthen their authoritative role in the analysis and presentation of information, remaining critical of the data produced and processed by AI and prioritizing an approach that values integrity and editorial independence.
With the computing and graphics power of these new tools, the art of presenting data is being revolutionized (data visualization). The creation of infographics and augmented layouts has a bright future ahead of it. Art directors will also likely face real dilemmas, such as whether to work with photographers and illustrators or create productions using image-generating AI. Charters for the use of AI in each editorial office will set the direction to take and the red lines not to cross.
Towards a regulatory framework
Faced with these challenges, several international media organizations have called for the introduction of a strict legal framework governing the use of AI in journalism. This framework aims to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure that AI tools do not supplant human judgment, but complement it in a transparent and accountable manner. The objective is to avoid the propagation of stereotypes,factual errors or biased information .
Promote journalism
AI in journalism represents a promising technological advancement, capable of revolutionizing the way information is collected, processed, analyzed, formatted and disseminated. However, it is imperative that this integration occurs with a keen awareness of the ethical implications, ensuring that AI is used in ways that enhance, not diminish, the value of journalism.
The challenge for industry professionals will be to manage these opportunities and risks, relying on rigorous ethical standards and an appropriate regulatory framework to guide their use. disruptive technologies.
Sources:
Journalism and AI – Practices and perspectives https://cdjm.org/journalisme-et-intelligence-artificielle-les-bonnes-pratiques/
Ewag – AI: an asset for modern journalism https://www.ewag.fr/2024/03/intelligence-artificielle-un-formidable-atout-pour-le-journalisme-moderne/
Le Monde – Need for a Legal Framework for AI https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2023/08/11/plusieurs-medias-internationaux-demandent-un-cadre-juridique-pour-l-usage-de-l-intelligence-artificielle_6185074_3234.html
La Croix – Journalism at AI Era https://www.la-croix.com/a-vif/al-ere-de-lintelligence-artificielle-le-journalisme-est-un-metier-davenir-20240302
The World – Towards AI-enhanced Journalism https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2024/03/16/intelligence-artificielle-nous-aspirons-a-un-journalisme-augmente-pas-a-un-jugement- humaine-diminue_6222377_3232.html
TV5 Monde – What ethics for artificial intelligence?
https://information.tv5monde.com/international/quelle-ethique-pour-lintelligence-artificielle-32454
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