mohammad Nikmalaki; Hossein Ali Afkhami
Abstract
Integration of artificial intelligence within journalism has become increasingly ingrained within the frameworks of many news agencies and media outlets. This growing relevance serves ...
Read More
Integration of artificial intelligence within journalism has become increasingly ingrained within the frameworks of many news agencies and media outlets. This growing relevance serves as evidence of technological advancements and symbolizes alterations in the needs and dynamics surrounding news consumption in the digital age. Over recent years, there has been a shift in attitudes towards the incorporation of artificial intelligence within newsrooms, most notably concerning the lifecycle of news production, distribution, and consumption. The present article delves into the knowledge, skills, and attitudes held by editors, scrutinizing the current state of affairs. The discourse further scrutinizes the expectations and challenges associated with the utilization of artificial intelligence, while additionally exploring its potential in the form of AI-based journalism within the newsroom of IRIB News Agency. For the purposes of this study, Bourdieu's field theory was employed. The research methodology is underpinned by a survey methodology, which utilizes non-probability sampling and was conducted during May 2023. The study's statistical population comprises 50 editors currently affiliated with IRIB News Agency. The results revealed that the editors identified increased productivity, enhanced efficiency of journalists, quicker reception of news, and reduced costs through automation as the primary reasons for implementing artificial intelligence technologies within the newsroom of IRIB News Agency, in that order of priority. Moreover, the AI revolution promises to reconfigure TV journalism, with content management, enhanced automation and efficiency in content generation, fake news detection/deep fake detection, and user sentiment analysis emerging as the primary priorities within the news agency's newsroom. Furthermore, the newsroom of IRIB News Agency faces five key challenges and barriers hindering the adoption of AI technologies, namely: Inadequate AI-related skills coupled with the difficulty in attracting and recruiting talent, Insufficient knowledge, skills, and understanding regarding the potential of AI within the news organization, Lack of strategy, particularly at the management level/absence of strategic vision, Financial constraints and/or reluctance to invest in existing resources, and Structural issues, encompassing technical discrepancies between departments.
