With technology progressing at an astounding rate, the advancements and breakthroughs it has already registered have also infiltrated the field of journalism. However, in the face of these unprecedented leaps, a pervasive concern has taken root as journalists begin to fear that they may find themselves overshadowed by a human creation more adept than human capabilities—Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Today, the crux of the matter lies in the increasing difficulty of discerning whether a written, spoken, or visual medium originates from a human or an AI entity. How much time do we have before journalists find themselves replaced and compelled to recalibrate their role as the fourth estate?
For this reason, whether we prefer to embrace it or not, the development of these large-scale language models has both put us at threat and given us opportunities. Not only threats and opportunities but also an urgency to adapt and navigate these changes, as this concern is based on actual modifications AI has already brought about in several industries and industrial chains.
What was once viewed as science fiction has turned into a reality and journalists need to adjust to the evolving needs of their profession.
AI in Philippine Media
On September 23, GMA Network introduced Marco and Maya, the country’s first-ever artificial intelligence sportscasters, to give us a taste of how AI is increasingly being used in journalism. These sportscasters are set to provide sports updates on GMA Integrated News, GMA Sports, and GMA Synergy's social media platforms.
However, while being a ‘groundbreaking innovation’ in Philippine media, the announcement sparked criticisms, prompting questions about whether this approach signals an evolution in the industry toward networks relying more on AI than on journalists.
While the network defends its use of AI as a step toward journalistic innovation, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) states that news companies must have discussions and create regulations about AI. By seeing it as a tool to support journalists rather than replace them, NUJP advocates for a more proactive approach.
Rappler, an independent news organization, has actually already taken a stand on AI by publishing rules, highlighting the value of human judgment and critical thought. Open but cautious, their approach to AI is consistent with their mission to provide innovative news that mobilizes communities.
Furthermore, they made it clear that artificial intelligence technologies are meant to increase output and effectiveness; they are not meant to take the place of human workers. This means that utilizing AI to improve newsroom operations and produce products that better serve the public while maintaining ethical standards and accountability is their main objective.
AI as a Misinformation Peddler
Concerns over a rise in misinformation make it harder for people to discern truth from fiction. This development has grown more difficult to uncover, giving perpetrators powerful tools with which to advance their schemes since technology has historically been a means of disseminating false information.
As researchers have shown, AI has the potential to create large-scale, realistic-looking, but deceptive content, which could significantly impact people's views, actions, and access to public information. This is also in line with the commentary released by the Harvard Kennedy School that highlights the notion that AI supplements false information in quantity and quality, making it more convincing and difficult to debunk.
In the midst of these concerns, it is important for one to recall the complex network of entities that comprise our modern information landscape. These media platforms have been crucial in facilitating AI's ability to spread knowledge and building public trust in its capabilities. However, the emergence of deepfakes and other manipulating visuals poses serious challenges for fact-checkers.
A report by Al Jazeera highlights AI technology's tremendous influence, implying that it has the capacity to undermine the idea of shared reality itself. In this dynamic environment, a nuanced perspective is required, acknowledging AI as a product of an information ecosystem.
Given its function, it requires an all-encompassing approach to handle its drawbacks and maximize its advantages in a broader framework. Therefore, to ensure the continued distribution of information in the future, carefully balancing the advancement of technology with the preservation of truth as we traverse this challenging terrain is a must.
The Future of Journalism
The relevance of AI language models and their applications to journalistic practices raises a major concern regarding how AI will affect journalism and determine its future, especially in light of its immense capacity to transform the field.
In an interview, a fourth-year journalism student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, John Michael Odtohan, emphasized the importance of seeing AI as an extra identity rather than a total substitute for the authenticity of human work.
“Ang akin lang, itrato natin ang AI as an additional identity, but not entirely a new whole identity that can replace the 'authenticity' of human work. And what I mean by human work is 'yong actual na pag-gather at pagbuo talaga ng mga reportage. Mahirap din kasi talaga 'yong AI, especially bukod sa infant pa lang siguro ito, mababa 'yong sophistication ng mga available na tools to eventually adopt it. Kumbaga, doon pa lang, there is already a potential risk na makikita,” says Odtohan.
This viewpoint supports Rappler's claim that news gathering, research, interviews, and corroboration are crucial journalistic tasks that AI output should not replace. It's feared that relying too much on AI could harm aspiring journalists' careers.
“Kasi ang worry ko rito, darating tayo sa point na we will consider them as a brand new identity na kayang ipangtapat sa journalists. Oo, it's an efficient work, pero if magiging highly dependent tayo sa mga ito, we're defeating the purpose of actually harnessing ‘yung mga future journalist natin,” she added.
It is nevertheless clear that news companies must adhere to ethical journalism standards despite technological advancements. Newsrooms have to recognize the benefits and constraints of artificial intelligence technologies.
With this, the main issue still stands: will artificial intelligence provide opportunities, or pose more problems in journalism? The journalists' effort to minimize risks and maximize advantages will determine the outcome—an important endeavor for a nation struggling with cyberattacks and misinformation.
[References]
[1] Cabico, G. K. (2023, September 24). Newsrooms urged to address ethics, accountability issues ahead of AI rollout. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/09/24/2298712/newsrooms-urged-address-ethics-accountability-issues-ahead-ai-rollout
[2] Diab, K. (2023, July 19). What future for journalism in the age of ai?. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/7/19/what-future-for-journalism-in-the-age-of-ai
[3] Rappler. (2023, September 12). Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/about/guidelines-artificial-intelligence-usage-development/#:~:text=We%20may%20use%20generative%20AI,of%20Rappler’s%20photojournalists%20and%20artists.
[4] Simon, F. M., Altay, S., & Mercier, H. (2023, October 18). Misinformation reloaded? fears about the impact of generative AI on misinformation are overblown: HKS Misinformation Review. Misinformation Review. https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/misinformation-reloaded-fears-about-the-impact-of-generative-ai-on-misinformation-are-overblown/
Article: George Ryan P. Tabada
Graphics: Hannah Iglesias Manalo
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