General Summary
This Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism report presents findings from an online survey conducted in six countries – Argentina, Denmark, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The study aims to capture public awareness, usage patterns, and attitudes towards generative AI, particularly within journalism.
Awareness and Usage
The research highlights that ChatGPT is the most recognized generative AI tool, known by around 50% of the online population within the surveyed countries. Despite recognition, frequent daily use could be much higher. Younger demographics (ages 18–24) show a higher likelihood of interacting with generative AI, with a significant portion using it for various media and information tasks.
Diverse Expectations
Most respondents anticipate generative AI heavily influencing many societal sectors within the next five years. However, trust varies; while the healthcare and science sectors garner more trust, social media companies and news media are viewed skeptically. These varying degrees of trust are tied to expectations of responsibly using AI technologies.
Perceived Impact on Journalism
The survey indicates a general concern about AI’s role in news production. Only a minority of respondents believe AI-generated news will enhance trustworthiness and transparency. Most agree it will make news production more up-to-date and cost-effective, but not necessarily more valuable or reliable.
Current Usage in Newsrooms
Public perception suggests that generative AI is already used in newsrooms to edit and translate texts. However, there needs to be more scepticism about the extent of human oversight in these processes. This perception indicates a need for more transparent communication from news organizations regarding their use of AI.
Comfort Levels
Survey results show a general preference for human-generated news over AI-produced content. People are slightly more comfortable with AI handling soft news topics like fashion and sports but need to be more open about its role in challenging news areas such as politics.
Disclosure and Labelling Preferences
There is a substantial public demand for transparency, with the majority favouring disclosure when AI is involved in news production. However, the degree of expected disclosure varies, with more critical tasks like article writing deemed more necessary for labelling than backend tasks like spellchecking.
Conclusion
The report reveals a nuanced view of generative AI’s integration into journalism. Public opinion is shaped by limited direct interaction with AI tools and marked by curiosity and scepticism. Ensuring responsible use and clear communication from news media will be crucial as AI continues to evolve within this sector.
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