By Ifham Nizam
Professor Charlie Beckett, who currently leads the School of Journalism’s AI project at the London School of Economics (LSE), delivered an insightful address recently on the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and journalism. Among other things, he revealed that, ‘It’s very difficult to replace a human journalist with software.’
Speaking at a global gathering of media professionals at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore, Beckett stressed the profound impact AI is having on the industry, both in terms of opportunities and challenges facing journalism today.
Despite concerns about AI replacing human journalists, Beckett reassured the audience that this was unlikely. ‘It’s very difficult to replace a human journalist with software. AI is more about supporting and supplementing the work of journalists, creating efficiency and creativity gains.’
The LSE’s Journalism and AI project, which Beckett leads, is a global initiative, working with news organizations worldwide to promote the responsible use of AI in journalism. ‘We’ve researched globally into the opportunities and risks of AI for journalism, Beckett noted, pointing to the extensive resources and training programs the project offers; ‘all available online for free, thanks to the support of the Google News Initiative.’
Beckett added: ‘With a network of over 12,000 journalists spanning from Argentina to Australia, the project has witnessed firsthand how AI technologies are transforming every aspect of journalism. AI can support journalism by handling relatively simple tasks at great speed and scale, impacting news gathering, content creation, distribution, and even revenue raising.
‘However, we’ve seen the risks, such as tech dependency and flaws in algorithms or databases. The infamous fake AI-generated interview with Michael Schumacher is an example of how human errors can lead to significant ethical breaches.’
‘Ultimately, this isn’t about tech. It’s about human choices. Journalists should embrace AI while maintaining their commitment to ethical and independent journalism.’
Temasek Foundation’s head of Corporate Development, Amrin Amin, reflected on the dynamic and often tumultuous media landscape, likening it to a “rollercoaster” that has tested the resilience and adaptability of journalists worldwide. “It’s not easy to be a journalist today,” the speaker remarked, underscoring the rapid shifts in news consumption, declining revenues and the increasing pressures on newsrooms to deliver more with fewer resources.
Amin said that despite these challenges, the AJF was celebrated as a “silver lining” in the field of journalism, providing a platform for journalists from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, learn, and support one another. The fellowship program, established 15 years ago in the wake of the global financial crisis, was lauded for its commitment to evolving journalism with an Asian perspective.
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