Eighth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

Much of the discussion of artificial intelligence (AI) and journalism is focused on fear and apprehension of what AI might do to automate the news and replace human reporting. However, some journalistic outlets and journalism schools are accepting the inevitable and trying to use AI as a tool to more accurately and more extensively report the news. Entrepreneurial developers are creating AI tools to take the pressure off overworked and under-resourced newsrooms, and permit extended coverage with the dwindling resources. Journalism programs in schools of higher learning are incorporating AI into their syllabi and training young journalists on techniques using the technology to increase accuracy, support research and increase productivity in local news coverage. This paper is a survey of positive applications of AI technology aimed at improving and increasing the production of accurate and extensive local news coverage.