Can we still handle the truth? Journalism, alternative facts and the rise of AI

It was a quiet afternoon at the newsroom when the editor-in-chief summoned me to her office. As a young journalist, I had a certain level of curiosity and determination that had caught her attention since day one. I sensed that our meeting was going to be about something big.

She leaned back in her chair and said, "Listen, Lenore. I'm sure you're aware of the buzz around AI journalism. It's our responsibility to provide our readers with accurate and timely news. But with the rise of AI, we're also looking at the possibility of losing our jobs to machines."

That was when it hit me. AI, or artificial intelligence, isn't just a concept for science fiction movies. It's a reality that is slowly but surely taking over the world we live in. And the journalism industry is no exception.

According to a report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, news organizations such as Associated Press and Reuters have started using AI to produce some of their news stories. In fact, the report mentions that by 2025, a third of the content in the news industry will be generated by machines.

But what does this mean for the quality of journalism and the truth it brings to the public? And how does this relate to the rise of alternative facts?

AI Journalism and the Quality of Journalism

On the surface, AI journalism seems like a good idea. It can help reduce the workload of journalists, thus allowing them to focus on more important tasks such as investigative reporting. AI can also analyze data and provide insights that would be difficult for humans to spot.

However, the use of AI journalism raises some concerns. Firstly, AI cannot replace human intuition and judgment. While AI algorithms can analyze a vast amount of data, they lack the ability to discern what is important or newsworthy.

Secondly, AI journalism can also perpetuate bias. AI algorithms are only as impartial as the data they are trained on. If the data is biased, then the output will also be biased. This can perpetuate stereotypes and lead to inaccurate reporting.

Lastly, AI journalism lacks the storytelling element that makes journalism so impactful. A robot cannot empathize with its subjects or convey emotion in its writing.

The Rise of Alternative Facts

Alternative facts, a term coined by Kellyanne Conway, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, refers to the notion that there can be multiple versions of the truth. This concept allows individuals and organizations to cherry-pick information that aligns with their beliefs and dismiss information that does not.

The journalist's job is to report facts, not opinions. However, the rise of alternative facts has made it increasingly difficult for journalists to do their job. Individuals who do not trust journalists or the media can easily find stories that support their beliefs, even if those stories are inaccurate or misleading.

AI journalism can exacerbate this problem. If individuals can create their own version of the truth by cherry-picking stories generated by machines, then the concept of objective journalism becomes irrelevant.

Conclusion

1. AI journalism has the potential to revolutionize the news industry. However, it should be used as a tool to complement human reporting, not replace it.
2. Journalists and news organizations should be mindful of the biases inherent in AI algorithms and work to mitigate them.
3. The rise of alternative facts highlights the importance of objective journalism. Journalists must strive to report accurate and unbiased information, even in the face of opposition.

The truth can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary for a functioning democracy. As journalists, it is our responsibility to uphold the truth and ensure that it is accessible to everyone.