Use of generative artificial intelligence in the training of journalists: challenges, uses and training proposal

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already integrated into news production strategies in some media outlets. Recently, generative AIs such as ChatGPT and others have demonstrated their ability to enhance productivity in content production tasks, raising the question of how journalism faculties can address this new technology. This paper presents an academic study on the application of AI in higher communication studies. The study involved 4 in-depth interviews and 28 semi-structured interviews with university lecturers and researchers. The findings confirm varying degrees of convergence and divergence on different aspects of the technology, including the integration of AI in communication faculties, student training in AI usage, the introduction of AI and journalism as a subject area, and the potential uses of AI in news production and consumption. Additionally, this paper proposes a comprehensive training program on AI and journalism, focusing on its foundations, technical competencies and ethical considerations.