8 answers
Kate
Student
El Reno, Oklahoma
1
Question
Asked
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What role do you think AI will play in the future of Journalism Will it have a more negative or positive impact on the field??
With AI becoming so prevalent in the world today, I wonder what impact it will have on the future of journalism.
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8 answers
Joseph Andreasen
Camera operator
10
Answers
Parker, Colorado
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
More than anything, I think AI can used to help edit reports/articles. You are the person you are. Your personal expressions, feelings, opinions. You are not a computer. You are a real person. Always be yourself.
Nik Korba
Writer
25
Answers
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Updated
Nik’s Answer
Hello, Kate! Great question. As a journalist (I am a staff writer for a Public Relations firm), I've seen AI have a positive impact on journalism and I expect it will continue to improve the field moving forward. I believe it has already greatly improved a journalist's capacity for research. Honestly, I'm not sure how I survived when Google was my only option for research -- AI tools make the process so much faster. And AI helps me with a variety of other tasks that are important to today's journalistic writing, such as finding related links that can improve my SEO rankings or fostering creative inspiration. I don't see AI replacing journalists, as I don't think media outlets or their readers want to read content that has been prepared by AI. I see it as a tool that will have a positive impact on the industry, helping journalists become better journalists, which leads to better engagement, better impact, and better overall appreciation for the craft of journalism.
Rom C
Fintech
1
Answer
Wilmington, Delaware
Updated
Rom’s Answer
I think AI will have both positive and negative impacts on journalism, but overall it’ll be more helpful. It can help journalists with research, data analysis, and repetitive tasks, giving them more time to focus on real reporting.
There are risks too, like spreading misinformation or relying too much on AI. But if it’s used as a tool and not a replacement, AI can actually improve journalism.
There are risks too, like spreading misinformation or relying too much on AI. But if it’s used as a tool and not a replacement, AI can actually improve journalism.
Donald Snedecor
managing editor
5
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Donald’s Answer
Kate: This is a great question. I'm not sure anyone can predict the future of artificial intelligence. Elon Musk said recently he thinks the future includes humanoid AI. Having said that, there are cautionary signs every journalist should be aware of. I am a retired community newspaper editor. When I was publishing, AI was largely limited to search engines like Yahoo and Google (and perhaps Turbotax), as Nik Korba has suggested. But even then there were ethical concerns when it came to publishing lightly edited press releases and data driven journalism, for examples. I think AI will present a whole new set of challenges to journalists in terms of independent reporting. The litmus test for journalists may be when deadlines are quickly approaching and the pressure is on to wrap up stories and submit them for publication. Will AI replace the editing stage? Food for thought.
Thank you for the response. Do you think it’s ethical for journalists to use AI for either the writing or editing process?
Kate
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Being in the Data Analytics and AI space, I truly believe that AI will transform journalism in big ways. First and foremost, it can speed up research, fact-checking, and even draft articles, making news production faster and more efficient. However, you should still take what AI provides and put it in your own words and/or writing style. AI can not humanize (provide really feelings and emotions) only you can do that. However, that is the positive side of using AI in Journalism. Journalists can focus more on analysis and storytelling. But there’s a risk: over-reliance on AI could lead to generic content and misinformation if not carefully managed. The future will require journalists to combine tech skills with strong ethics and creativity. AI won’t replace human judgment, but it will amplify it. Those who learn to use AI as a tool to augment what they do, not a crutch, will thrive in a field that values truth and trust.
Thanks for sharing your perspective!
Kate
Joseph Aseo
88
Answers
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I graduated with a Journalism degree from San Jose State in 1981 and have spent 45 years writing in Silicon Valley. My work goes beyond gathering facts (which Generative AI is good at). asMy work focuses on asking the right questions (which Generative AI struggles with).
Here are the key questions I focus on:
Who: Who is my audience? What are their goals and needs?
What: What information helps them make a decision or take an action?
Where: Where should they use this information to achieve their goals or needs?
When: When is the best time to use this information to achieve their goals or needs??
How: How can they apply this information to achieve their goals or needs??
Why: Why is this information crucial to achieve their goals or needs?
Here are the key questions I focus on:
Who: Who is my audience? What are their goals and needs?
What: What information helps them make a decision or take an action?
Where: Where should they use this information to achieve their goals or needs?
When: When is the best time to use this information to achieve their goals or needs??
How: How can they apply this information to achieve their goals or needs??
Why: Why is this information crucial to achieve their goals or needs?
Erin King
Marketing
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Erin’s Answer
Hi there! Great question.
I started my career in newspaper advertising, which means I’ve had a front-row seat to huge shifts in journalism and media. When I entered the industry, print was weakening, print ad revenue was dropping, and newsrooms once full of people were shrinking. Digital disruption hit hard — ad dollars moved to big tech platforms, newsrooms shrank, and many local papers struggled to survive.
But there have been positives too: digital tools made reporting faster, allowed journalists to reach global audiences instantly, and opened new storytelling formats like interactive graphics, data journalism, and multimedia packages. Change hasn’t always been easy, but creativity has always found a way to thrive.
Now we’re at another turning point with AI. And just like the digital shift, it’s going to bring both challenges and opportunities:
The Concerns
Misinformation can spread more easily, especially with AI-generated content that looks real.
Speed may be prioritized over accuracy, which is risky for a field built on trust.
Some fear AI could automate certain reporting tasks, especially quick-write briefs or basic summaries.
The Positives
AI also has the potential to strengthen journalism:
Reporters can use AI to analyze huge datasets that would take weeks manually.
AI can help with transcriptions, organizing research, drafting outlines, and freeing journalists to focus on deeper storytelling — the part only humans can do.
Newsrooms can experiment with new formats and reach audiences more efficiently.
Fact-checking tools powered by AI are getting better and can help combat misinformation.
The Human Part Still Matters Most
From my past experience in newspaper advertising and watching the industry evolve, one thing remains constant:
People trust journalism because of humans — their judgment, ethics, curiosity, and ability to tell real stories with empathy.
AI can support journalism, but it can’t replace the heart of it. The journalists who thrive will be the ones who learn how to use these tools to make their work sharper, faster, and more impactful.
So will AI’s impact be negative or positive?
Honestly, it will be both, and it will depend on how news organizations and individual journalists choose to use it.
If they use AI to cut corners, it’s negative.
If they use it to enhance reporting and protect time for real storytelling, it’s incredibly positive.
And based on what I’ve seen across my career, journalism always adapts — and the people who embrace new tools tend to lead the next wave of innovation.
I started my career in newspaper advertising, which means I’ve had a front-row seat to huge shifts in journalism and media. When I entered the industry, print was weakening, print ad revenue was dropping, and newsrooms once full of people were shrinking. Digital disruption hit hard — ad dollars moved to big tech platforms, newsrooms shrank, and many local papers struggled to survive.
But there have been positives too: digital tools made reporting faster, allowed journalists to reach global audiences instantly, and opened new storytelling formats like interactive graphics, data journalism, and multimedia packages. Change hasn’t always been easy, but creativity has always found a way to thrive.
Now we’re at another turning point with AI. And just like the digital shift, it’s going to bring both challenges and opportunities:
The Concerns
Misinformation can spread more easily, especially with AI-generated content that looks real.
Speed may be prioritized over accuracy, which is risky for a field built on trust.
Some fear AI could automate certain reporting tasks, especially quick-write briefs or basic summaries.
The Positives
AI also has the potential to strengthen journalism:
Reporters can use AI to analyze huge datasets that would take weeks manually.
AI can help with transcriptions, organizing research, drafting outlines, and freeing journalists to focus on deeper storytelling — the part only humans can do.
Newsrooms can experiment with new formats and reach audiences more efficiently.
Fact-checking tools powered by AI are getting better and can help combat misinformation.
The Human Part Still Matters Most
From my past experience in newspaper advertising and watching the industry evolve, one thing remains constant:
People trust journalism because of humans — their judgment, ethics, curiosity, and ability to tell real stories with empathy.
AI can support journalism, but it can’t replace the heart of it. The journalists who thrive will be the ones who learn how to use these tools to make their work sharper, faster, and more impactful.
So will AI’s impact be negative or positive?
Honestly, it will be both, and it will depend on how news organizations and individual journalists choose to use it.
If they use AI to cut corners, it’s negative.
If they use it to enhance reporting and protect time for real storytelling, it’s incredibly positive.
And based on what I’ve seen across my career, journalism always adapts — and the people who embrace new tools tend to lead the next wave of innovation.
Jesse Sanchez
Broadcast Photographer
8
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Jesse’s Answer
AI Technology is changing the world we all live in. I feel AI is a great tool in everything we do. I use AI as a research tool and that helps in my storytelling. What I enjoy most about AI is the ability to translate information into a narrative that I can understand! I believe AI is just beginning and I am excited on what’s to come. However, always be the journalist in search of facts and challenges to tell both sides of the story!