AI is changing how people interact with news

Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly progressed, leading to notable successes in multiple sectors. Newsrooms are no exception. AI-generated news has transitioned from a mere fantasy to a current reality.
And those publishers are now using AI-driven tools to automate news reporting, behind-the-scenes activities like tracking trending subjects online, transcribing discussions, and tailoring suggestions for audiences and even produce spot commentaries.
Reporters use AI to improve their efficiency in ways that may not be obvious to the audience. While many are uncomfortable with it, in some cases, they continue to be open to using AI for delivering news.
Significantly, the UN General Assembly has decided to celebrate Media and Information Literacy Week this year from October 24 to 31, with the theme 'Minds Over AI,' to ensure that human judgement, ethics, and critical awareness guide the use and interpretation of AI in our media landscapes.
“As AI technologies become more integrated into everyday communication, shaping news feeds, search results, and even content creation, the need for strong media and information literacy has become increasingly urgent”, stresses a UN statement.
A Thomson Reuters Foundation survey of more than 200 journalists worldwide regarding current narratives on AI adoption found that 79.3 per cent of the newsrooms interviewed lacked a formal policy on AI.
Although more than 80 per cent of the journalists surveyed used AI in their work, nearly 8 out of 10 lacked a formal policy governing AI use in their newsrooms. Additionally, 52.4 per cent indicated that AI had a significant impact on their jobs.
“Despite concerns about AI’s impact on creativity, originality, and the risk of increased misinformation, journalists expressed a cautious optimism towards this new technology, recognising its capability to support a diverse range of tasks”, the foundation said in the survey report.
Simultaneously, the 'Digital News Report 2025' from the Reuters Institute highlights worldwide patterns in news consumption. Spanning 48 countries and involving almost 100,000 individuals, it illustrates a portrayal of a media landscape shaped by scepticism, technological disruption, and reduced engagement with traditional journalism.
The report highlights the significant transformation of the media landscape. For independent media, the dangers are significant, but the chances are equally notable. Individuals who are ready to adjust to the swiftly evolving circumstances will be most positioned to stay pertinent and viable.
“Newsrooms are utilising AI for summarising content, translation, and personalisation.” The report notes that although numerous users are receptive to AI-generated suggestions, they still appreciate the editorial discernment and trustworthiness that human insight offers.
The report indicates that a significant percentage of youths confirm their information through AI chatbots instead of conventional news sources. Being a relatively recent development, “this could either disrupt publishers by monopolising traffic or benefit audiences by enhancing content personalisation to address selective news avoidance and news fatigue.”
According to the report, news organisations are optimistic that AI could enhance the worth of news created by humans, as it shows that reputable news brands remain the primary source people turn to for verifying online information.” From the US to India, the Reuters survey noticed declining trust, rising video, and an audience nudged by algorithms, not editorial judgement.
At the heart of the report, it records a change in authority. Interaction with conventional media outlets like television, newspapers, and news websites continues to decline, whereas reliance on social media, video services, and online aggregators is increasing, referencing the United States where “polling coincided with the initial weeks of the new Trump administration.”
Even though it has been marked by low trust for a long time, the overall trust in the news has stayed at 40 per cent for the third consecutive year. 'The overwhelming volume of news has led individuals to prioritise impartiality, accuracy, and transparency in reporting—factors still associated with journalists instead of AI,' highlights the report.
Adjusting to the realities of technological progress is essential, just as ensuring the focus remains on human needs!