Journalism has long been a stalwart of the media industry. Journalists play an important role by reporting on current affairs, topics of interest and opinion. It is an essential part of free speech and keeping the public informed. But is AI causing volatility in this age-old industry?
Sweeping Changes
There’s no doubt that AI tools have made a considerable difference to how many of us access and analyse information. AI is capable not only of reporting news and stories but of providing opinion on them – if prompted, of course.
At first glance, it might appear alarming that multiple news companies such as the BBC, NBC and even the Wall St Journal have made redundancies in recent months, perhaps in part due to the fact that AI can provide data and generate information, which cuts down on the number of human hours required to produce stories.
Humans as Essential as Ever
That being said, humans are as important as ever in providing valuable opinion pieces and insight into news stories and their impact, according to Harvard University.
Anyone pursuing a journalism degree can still look forward to a rich and diverse career in journalism, since this field is dynamically evolving. If you’re considering a career as a writer, you may wish to consider a journalism degree to equip you for this ever changing but fascinating industry.
In the meantime, the onus is on all of us to embrace AI and have it serve a purpose rather than be afraid of its impact.
