Global audiences are expressing significant skepticism toward news content generated by artificial intelligence (AI), according to a recent report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. The rise of AI tools in news production presents new challenges for newsrooms worldwide, particularly as they strive to maintain audience trust. The report, which surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 47 countries, found widespread anxiety about AI-generated news content. This concern is especially pronounced when it comes to sensitive subjects like politics. In the United Kingdom, 63% of respondents expressed discomfort with AI-produced news, while in the United States, the figure stood at 52%. Nic Newman, senior research associate at the Reuters Institute and lead author of the Digital News Report, noted the unexpected level of suspicion among audiences. “People broadly had fears about what might happen to content reliability and trust,” he said. The advent of generative AI tools developed by tech giants and startups—capable of summarizing information and potentially redirecting traffic away from news websites—has prompted news organizations to grapple with the technology’s implications. The public’s distrust raises questions about the viability of AI-generated news and its potential impact on revenue models. The report also highlighted increasing concerns over online misinformation. Compared to the previous year, worries rose by 3%, with 59% of respondents expressing apprehension. This anxiety was particularly acute in countries like South Africa (81%) and the United States (72%), both experiencing election cycles. Despite efforts to bolster digital subscriptions, news organizations continue to face challenges in securing paying readers. The report revealed that only 17% of respondents across 20 countries pay for online news—a figure that has remained stagnant for three years. Moreover, a significant portion of U.S. subscribers (46%) accessed content through discounted rates, indicating a reliance on promotional offers. In the realm of social media, news influencers are increasingly shaping how younger audiences consume news. On platforms like TikTok, individual personalities are gaining prominence over mainstream media organizations. Among more than 5,600 TikTok users surveyed who use the app for news, 57% said they primarily follow individual influencers, while only 34% follow journalists or news brands. “These findings show that newsrooms need to build a direct relationship with their audiences while strategically using platforms to connect with harder-to-reach groups, like younger audiences,” Newman explained. “We see that these influencers have a bigger role on the platforms.”
Reference(s):
Global audiences suspicious of AI-powered newsrooms, report finds
cgtn.com
