AI is already transforming the practice of journalism, from pitching stories to transcribing interviews. And while there is plenty of buzz (and fear) surrounding misinformation and automation, the real question for us, early-career journalists, is: how can we use AI to work smarter, not harder?
For early-career journalists, adapting to this technology shift can be intimidating, particularly when there is so much conflicting information about the impact and potential of AI. Some fear that AI could render old-school reporting a thing of the past, making their skills and jobs obsolete. Others are open to its use, but are uncertain about how to incorporate it into their reporting without compromising their credibility.
Though genuine concerns over fake news and AI-generated content are warranted, young journalists should see AI as a tool, a tool that can enhance their reporting, simplify repetitive tasks, and open new doors to creativity. But they have to learn how to apply AI responsibly and transparently.
Journalism is based on human intuition, deep reporting, and ethical storytelling, so where does AI come into that equation? Jeremy Caplan, director of teaching and learning at CUNY's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, and Professor Steve Bien-Aimé, a media ethics and journalism professor at the University of Kansas, proposed an answer to that question and broke down the possibilities, pitfalls, and ethics of AI in journalism.
AI is a tool, not a substitute
In recent years, a reporter of the Cody Enterprise, a newspaper in Wyoming, was caught using AI to generate quotes and entire paragraphs in his stories. After a competitor pointed out that the stories included fake quotes by public officials like the governor, the reporter was fired, and the Cody Enterprise issued an apology.
When AP News reported on the incident, it also started a broader debate on the risks involved with using AI with secrecy and no oversight, and why human judgment and accountability still matter in journalism.
AI can handle time-consuming tasks, freeing journalists to focus on storytelling, analysis, and investigative work. Spell checkers, transcription tools, and even AI-powered research assistants can speed up your work without compromising integrity.
"Using AI doesn’t necessarily mean using text that’s generated by AI and representing it as your own. You can use AI to check spelling, remove background noise, or transcribe an interview; none of that should impair trust in what you’re writing," Caplan said.
As much as AI has improved in the past few years, it is still a tool better suited for general tasks. It can find patterns and reveal connections, but cannot generate the insights or develop the relationships that come from the reporting process and human interaction.
“AI has been taught 'humanness,' but it does not live an experience or tailor itself to the community/beat you know best. Understanding how a tool works is vital before integrating it into one's work style," said Bien-Aimé.
Don’t assume, experiment
The best way to appreciate the potential of AI is to experiment, "If we don’t experiment, we risk making assumptions based on old technology or secondhand opinions. Spend time trying new tools, exploring what they do and don’t do, and seeing how they can extend your own capabilities,” Caplan said.
Practical programming knowledge and hands-on experience in AI are also key for Bien-Aimé, "I think learning basic programming is helpful while also experimenting to see how AI can and cannot help. The tool is limited. It knows only what it’s been fed," he said.
AI visualization software can read data trends in a matter of minutes, and AI transcription will render a lengthy interview readable on the spot. The more you rummage around, the more it will reveal itself on how to integrate AI into your reporting effectively.
Be creative, not just efficient
Aside from efficiency, AI also has the potential to show new means of storytelling. AI can help journalists make interactive graphics, dig into big data, or even produce audio versions of stories.
“I saw someone use AI to analyze a century of New Yorker covers and visualize how color trends changed over time. There are so many things you can create now that simply weren’t possible before," Caplan said.
Some journalists are using large language models like ChatGPT or Claude to produce explainer pieces for readers or summarize long reports. Others are making chatbots using tools like Dialogflow or Intercom to answer questions from the public during elections or during fast-moving breaking news. For investigations that rely heavily on amounts of public records, tools like OpenAI's embeddings or Google's AutoML can help people sift through all the information present in the public records and find patterns. Some people are even using image generators like Ideogram or DALL·E to create visualizations of stories, and digital voice-making tools like ElevenLabs to create audio versions of their written stories.
None of these examples is just a hack for doing things faster or easier; at their best, they are new ways of telling stories that are either impossible to produce or would take too long. If a person only sees AI as a tool for finding more efficient ways to write copy, they are not just underusing it; they have also boxed themselves into a conceptual corner where they may not recognize its creative potential and responsible use.
Prioritize transparency
Trust is journalism's cornerstone, but it has been under siege by people who use disinformation and misinformation to blur the line between what is true and what is fabricated. And AI has been a key tool in their efforts. The cases of misuse of AI at established news organizations like Sports Illustrated have contributed to muddying the waters and increasing suspicion. That is why, now more than ever, journalists need to be clear about how stories are being produced.
“One of the things that we can do as journalists is emphasize transparency. We can share transcripts, data sets, and sources, so if someone is skeptical, they can see the evidence for themselves," said Caplan.
Bien-Aimé warns that excessive reliance on AI without transparency can undermine the faith of your readers in journalism. “The biggest thing is to be as transparent with your editors and your audience on potential AI usage. Don’t rely singularly on the tool; do the work yourself. AI still requires human guidance,” he said.
Also, because AI tools are fallible, reporters must be sensitive to AI hallucinations, where AI generates untruthful or misleading information. According to an MIT Sloan report, AI models become biased according to the training data used for them. It means fact-checking AI-made information is significant before using it in reporting.
By being open about the reporting process, either by publishing interview transcripts, citing data sources, or outlining how AI was utilized, journalists can maintain credibility and maintain their readers' trust.
Trust yourself and your skills
Journalists have always adapted to new technology. From typewriters to computers, each innovation has been met with initial skepticism. AI is no different. The secret is to leverage it as a helper, not a writer, said Bien-Aimé. Nothing can replace on-the-ground reporting and the bonds you build with your sources and the community.
"Do the work yourself. Don’t rely singularly on the tool. AI has limitations, and it can’t replace your experience or your understanding of your audience," said Bien-Aimé.
By mastering these tools early in your career, you’ll gain a competitive edge in the evolving media landscape. And most importantly, you’ll be able to focus on what truly matters: reporting the truth and telling impactful stories.
Some free and open AI Tools to help you get started
Early-career journalists don't need to spend money on software to benefit from AI. There are many powerful tools available for free. Here are some of the recommendations from Caplan:
For writing assistance: Grammarly, Hemingway, ChatGPT (free version), Claude
For transcription: MacWhisper (for use on Macs), OpenAI Whisper (cross-platform)
For research and summarizing: Perplexity AI, Google Notebook LM
For SEO and headlines: AI functions in Google Docs, Canva, and ChatGPT
For image creation: Ideogram, Adobe Firefly (limited free access)
For journalists who want to stay up to date with AI developments, Jeremy Caplan's Wonder Tools newsletter (Wonder Tools) is a great resource for learning about the latest AI and technology advancements that can assist in workflow and reporting.
