TLDR: A recent survey indicates that more than half of journalists in Belgium and the Netherlands are utilizing generative AI tools like ChatGPT, primarily for tasks such as translation, transcription, and proofreading. Despite this adoption, a significant majority express concerns that AI could worsen fake news and erode public trust in journalism.
A new study conducted by researchers from the universities of Ghent and Amsterdam, published on Wednesday, August 14, 2025, highlights a growing trend in European journalism: over half of journalists in Belgium and the Netherlands are now actively incorporating generative artificial intelligence tools into their professional routines. The survey, which encompassed 286 journalists, found that more than 50% are employing AI applications such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT within their newsrooms .
Despite the increasing adoption, a substantial portion of the surveyed journalists harbor reservations about the technology’s broader implications. A striking 85% believe that AI will exacerbate the proliferation of fake news, and 83% are concerned that it will undermine public trust in journalistic integrity .
The integration of generative AI largely serves to augment existing journalistic processes rather than to fundamentally redefine them. The most frequently cited applications include automated translation (45%), transcribing interviews (35%), and proofreading (30%). Journalists reported that their primary motivations for using these tools are to enhance efficiency, save time, and find inspiration . Among those who have adopted AI, 32% reported using it on a weekly basis, while 14% utilize it daily, figures that the researchers noted are consistent with findings from other industry studies .
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Generative AI tools gained significant mainstream traction following the global emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022. The AI models underpinning these tools are subject to regulatory oversight under the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act. This legislation mandates that developers of generative AI models fulfill obligations such as transparently disclosing their training methodologies, ensuring adherence to copyright law, and actively mitigating significant risks, including any potential loss of control over their models .
