Without a doubt: artificial intelligence will have a major impact on journalism. There is already a first AI radio station in Germany and an AI-generated news channel in the USA. But even beyond such experiments, AI applications are now used almost everywhere in editorial offices. AI already assists media professionals in Germany every day with research, data analysis, text creation or community management, accompanied by a heated debate about the effects of this technology. Some argue that it could make journalism better by taking on annoying routine work or helping to process large amounts of data. Others object that it could also contribute to a further loss of trust: through an excessive amount of fake news and manipulated image and video material.
A possible disadvantage of AI applications is particularly relevant in a diverse society: For its work, the technology often uses databases that reflect prejudices, clichés and racism. There is a risk that AI will reproduce existing grievances. An effect that has already been seen in AI-supported areas such as lending or facial recognition software.
How does journalism and therefore our diverse society manage to walk the tightrope between a sensible application and a naive use of AI? How do you regulate the use of AI in the most sensible way to prevent the spread of fake news and manipulation?
Communication scientist and quoted host Nadia Zaboura discusses this with Chan-jo Jun. The lawyer, who specializes in IT law, has sued internet companies in several spectacular lawsuits for spreading hate messages and is increasingly confronted with the consequences of the use of AI in his work.
A look into the future of journalism – in “quoted. der medienpodcast”, a format from CIVIS Medienstiftung and South German newspaperfunded by the Mercator Foundation.
Left:
“quoted. the media podcast” on May 29th, 2024 live at the re:publica in Berlin: https://re-publica.com/de/session/quoted-der-medienpodcast-haben-medien-eine-answer-auf-den-rechtsruck
The Standard, interview with media scientist Nic Freeman
Policy paper from journalism associations on dealing with AI applications, “Paris Charter”