In recent years, rapid developments in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have presented both disruptive challenges and unique opportunities for a wide array of industries, including the media and information domains, such as journalism. In this media landscape, the narrative of “AI is transforming journalism” has gained considerable traction, often portrayed with a sense of inevitability. However, preliminary findings from academic research reveal a striking disconnect between this popular discourse and the on-the-ground realities in newsrooms. This panel aims to delve deeper into this schism, seeking to understand the nuances and subtleties that characterize the integration of artificial intelligence in journalism and its impact on professional roles.

As these AI technologies evolve and become more integrated into journalistic workflows, they are simultaneously transforming the way journalism is taught, studied, and conceptualized. For journalism research in particular, discussions about AI have thus far focused on what these technologies mean for journalists and their work, ranging from the ethics of using chatbots to craft news texts to questions about human displacement and the biases associated with applying LLMs in the way news organizations gather, filter, and disseminate information.