University of Twente Student Theses
'Our Main Tools are (Still) Our Brains' : Local Journalists’ Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Two European Countries
Salonurmi, I.M. (2024) 'Our Main Tools are (Still) Our Brains' : Local Journalists’ Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Two European Countries.
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| Abstract: | Introduction: The journalistic and media fields have undergone stormy times in the past decades with digitalization and the changing media landscape. This hit has been hard, especially on the local news media. As ChatGPT has made AI’s way into the hands of different journalists and media professionals, the question arises, how is it going to be used? Aim: This study looks into how local journalists use and adopt artificial intelligence tools in different tasks in their work, and what factors affect this process. Method:13 local journalists or editors from the Netherlands and Finland were interviewed to research this. The interview structure was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), modified based on the implications for AI. The interviews were coded using a thematic approach. Results: AI is still in the first stages in many local newsrooms. Management levels are developing guidelines for its use and rolling out in-house applications. Journalists have mainly explored tools assisting their information-gathering or writing process, although they are generally interested in AI. Ethical considerations and the suitability of these tools for the needs of journalists tend to hinder their large-scale adoption. Conclusion: AI arrives at the local newsrooms as a continuation of digital disruption. Local journalists are not willing to speculate on the future, which comes from a lack of knowledge and distancing from the development of these tools. Human is required to be kept ‘in the loop’ in local journalism in the future as well. Practical Implications: Organizational AI adoption in newsrooms should be done considering the level of digital skills among journalists and the needs of the newsroom. Journalists should be integrated into the development of tools, but to do this they would require organizational training in the technology to understand its practical and ethical sides. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100453 |
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