How Journalists Can Use Artificial Intelligence

Summary

Alex Gordon, Senior Director at NBC News Group, discusses the role of AI in journalism, emphasizing its potential as an assistance rather than a replacement technology. He highlights AI's capabilities in transcription, image data capture, and generative AI, while stressing the importance of maintaining human oversight to ensure accuracy and avoid misinformation. Gordon also addresses the risks of AI-generated content and the need for vigilance in verifying information, advocating for the use of AI to detect and combat fake news, and to enhance journalistic work while upholding editorial standards.

Takeaways

• 🚫 AI should not replace human judgment in journalism as it could distort the truth and realism of a story.
• 🧙‍♂️ The speaker, Alex Gordon, warns of the irreversible nature of AI integration, likening it to a genie that cannot be put back in the bottle.
• 📚 AI is defined as the automation of human intelligence, aimed at easing manual tasks and not replacing human effort.
• 📈 NBC News Group has been using AI and machine learning for years, starting with simple tasks like transcription.
• 🔍 AI helps in capturing data from images, which would otherwise be manually logged, such as identifying people and objects in photos.
• 🛠 AI is viewed as an 'assistance technology' rather than a 'replacement technology', enhancing and sometimes replacing workflows but not people.
• 🐘 Generative AI, capable of creating content from human commands, is a significant concern due to its potential for misuse.
• 🚫 The risks of using AI-generated content on air are highlighted, including the potential for fake news and market manipulation.
• 🔍 Journalists need to be vigilant about the content they trust from the internet and use AI to help identify and combat fake content.
• 🔑 AI can be used to summarize large texts, generate conclusions from meetings, and upscale images, improving journalistic work.
• 👥 It's crucial for journalists to consult with their teams and leadership before using AI to ensure it enhances, rather than replaces, their work.
• 🎭 AI is also being used in the entertainment industry for cloning actors' faces and voices, and for CGI and visual effects.
• 📝 Journalists should not fear AI but should be cautious, maintaining editorial standards and best practices even when using AI tools.

Q & A

What is the primary concern about using AI in journalism as expressed by Alex Gordon?

The primary concern is that AI should not replace truth or realism in journalism. There's a risk of pushing out AI-generated content that could change the narrative of a story, which would make journalists no better than bad actors spreading misinformation.

What is Alex Gordon's position at NBC News Group?

Alex Gordon is the Senior Director for the product team at NBC News Group.

How does Alex Gordon define artificial intelligence in the context of its proper use?

He defines artificial intelligence as the automation of human intelligence, which should make life easier for tasks that currently require a lot of manual activity.

What was the initial application of AI in the context provided by the script?

The initial application of AI was in transcription services, automating the process of transcribing audio files into text, making it more self-serve and cost-effective.

What is the role of AI in capturing data from pictures as mentioned in the script?

AI captures data from pictures, such as identifying individuals or objects within an image, which would otherwise be manually logged.

How does Alex Gordon view AI in terms of its impact on jobs in the industry?

He views AI as an assistance technology rather than a replacement technology. AI should help and improve workflows and, where appropriate, replace certain workflows but not replace people.

What is generative AI and how does it differ from other forms of AI discussed in the script?

Generative AI is AI that can create text, images, and media from human commands. It is different from other forms of AI as it can generate new content rather than just process or analyze existing data.

What are the potential risks associated with using generative AI in journalism, as highlighted by Alex Gordon?

The potential risks include the creation and dissemination of fake content that could mislead the public, affect markets, and have real-world ramifications if used on air or manipulated by bad actors.

How can AI be used to combat the misuse of AI by bad actors, according to the script?

AI can be employed to quickly identify and flag fake content, essentially using AI to fight against the misuse of AI by bad actors.

What are some positive uses of AI in journalism that Alex Gordon mentions?

Positive uses include summarizing large quantities of text, generating conclusions based on meetings, and upscaling images to improve the quality of journalistic work.

What advice does Alex Gordon give regarding the use of AI in journalism?

He advises not to use AI in a vacuum, to consult with the team and leadership, and to ensure that AI does not replace human journalists but rather enhances their work while maintaining editorial best standards and practices.

How does Alex Gordon view the future of AI in journalism?

He is excited about the new possibilities AI brings to journalism but emphasizes the need for caution and maintaining journalistic integrity and standards.