AI: Friend or Foe for Local News?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming local journalism by creating efficiencies and enhancing information distribution. Despite the risks and challenges posed by AI, such as declining ad revenues and 'news deserts,' there's potential for AI to support journalism through collaboration and technological advancements without replacing human presence.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the local journalism landscape, offering new efficiencies and supporting journalists in their work. As digital platforms shift the media environment, AI presents both opportunities and challenges for local news producers, often seen as both allies and adversaries in the media space.

Local journalism faces declining advertising revenues and audience fragmentation due to the rise of Big Tech, leading to 'news deserts'—areas with limited access to locally relevant news. While the introduction of AI tools like Google's Gemini AI and ChatGPT seems daunting, these technologies are also becoming more reliable and offer potential benefits.

Despite uncertainties and a looming copyright battle over content use, AI can assist local newsrooms in information synthesis and automating news production processes. Collaboration and cross-sector initiatives are essential to harness AI's potential while ensuring human oversight, maintaining credibility, and addressing resource constraints faced by smaller news outlets.

(With inputs from agencies.)