TLDR: A study surveyed 504 Basque journalists, revealing that nearly 90% believe AI will significantly increase disinformation risks, particularly concerning false content, deepfakes, and inaccurate data. More experienced journalists and those who use AI less frequently perceive higher risks, while gender and media type show less variation. The findings highlight complex concerns and the need for AI literacy in journalism.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors, and journalism is no exception. While AI offers numerous benefits, its swift expansion, especially in generative AI, has raised significant concerns among journalists regarding its potential impact on disinformation. A recent study delves into these perceptions, offering a detailed look at how media professionals view the risks associated with AI in the information ecosystem.
Journalists’ Overwhelming Concern
The study, conducted with 504 journalists in the Basque Country, reveals a strong consensus: a vast majority (89.88%) believe that AI will considerably or significantly increase the risks of disinformation. This widespread concern highlights AI as a major challenge to the integrity of news and information.
Experience Shapes Perception
Interestingly, the perception of AI-driven disinformation risk is more pronounced among journalists with greater professional experience. Those with over 20 years in the field show a higher concern (92.76%) compared to their younger counterparts with five years or less of experience (80.77%). This suggests that seasoned professionals, deeply familiar with journalistic standards, might be more cautious about technological changes. Conversely, journalists who frequently use AI in their work tend to have a more moderate view of its risks, indicating that direct experience might foster a more nuanced understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.
Consistent Across Demographics, Nuanced by Media Type
The study found that gender does not significantly influence the perception of disinformation risk, with similar percentages of concern among men (90.22%) and women (89.82%). However, there are slight differences across media types. While the negative perception is predominant everywhere, journalists in digital-native media show a slightly higher percentage of minimizing AI’s impact (18.18%) compared to traditional media like print, radio, or television (91.03% in highest impact categories). Professionals in communication offices and press agencies are the most likely to foresee a high negative impact (96.95%).
Key Risks Identified by Journalists
When asked about specific risks associated with AI use, Basque journalists primarily highlighted two major concerns:
- Difficulty in identifying false content and deepfakes (37.9% of responses).
- The risk of obtaining inaccurate or erroneous data (33.33% of responses).
Other notable risks included becoming a victim of criminal uses like scams or skimming (11.61%) and biases stemming from data origin (10.81%). The study also found that journalists often perceive these risks as interconnected. For instance, over half of those who selected two risks paired the difficulty of identifying false content and deepfakes with concerns about inaccurate data, suggesting a holistic view of the threat to information reliability.
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Implications for the Future of Journalism
These findings underscore the complex and multifaceted concerns journalists hold regarding AI’s role in the information ecosystem. While AI offers tools to combat disinformation, its potential for malicious use, such as generating convincing false content at scale, is a significant worry. The study suggests that promoting AI literacy and targeted training among media professionals could be crucial for fostering a critical yet balanced adoption of this technology. This research provides valuable insights into how journalistic cultures are responding to emerging technological threats and highlights the ongoing need for ethical considerations and oversight in the age of AI.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the full research paper: Journalists’ Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Disinformation Risks.
