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MediaMorph Edition 80 - by HANA News
The "AI-in-newsrooms" debate is over
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The written-by-a-human bit
On the third anniversary of ChatGPT’s release, it’s timely to see that the debate over AI adoption in newsrooms is finally moving in one clear direction.
The Reuters Institute has published its latest findings in a report AI adoption by UK journalists and their newsrooms: surveying applications, approaches, and attitudes - surveying 1,004 UK Journalists in Q4 2004 (why do these surveys take a year to come out?!)
The headline finding is that more than half (56%) of UK journalists use AI professionally at least once a week, 27% daily.
The top use cases are predictably transcription, translation, and copy-editing.
Interestingly, 63% of journalists expect AI use in their newsrooms to increase rather than decrease, suggesting an inevitability of increased adoption. Meanwhile 60% already have AI protocols or guidelines in place, 32% provide AI training for staff, and over a third (34%) use a mix of in-house and third-party AI tools.
Furthermore, counter-intuitively, the more senior journalists are, the more enthusiastic they are. At the same time, the data shows a direct correlation between the number of formats a journalist works in and their frequency of AI use. AI is a clear winner for moving across text, video, social, and graphics.
Of course, journalists, being journalists, remain sceptical — they overwhelmingly view AI as a threat (62% call it a “large or very large threat”), and only 15% see a strong opportunity. However, scepticism falls away with usage - daily AI users are almost as likely to see AI as an opportunity as a threat (45% vs 48%). This suggests that once journalists use AI meaningfully, attitudes soften and integration accelerates.
AI is moving from an experiment and a curiosity to an essential tool. For a view from the vanguard, check out Henry Blodget’s conversation with Jamie Heller, editor-in-chief at Business Insider, on his Solutions podcast. Jamie is somewhat diplomatic in her language but makes clear that AI adoption works best when the philosophy and guardrails are clearly articulated and treated as a strategic capability upgrade, not a headcount-cutting exercise.
My socials were alive yesterday with rumours that OpenAI is preparing to roll out ads.
Makes sense if you have a $30bn ARR target by 2030 and 800m active weekly users. It also reflects the growing threat to OpenAI from Google’s Gemini - or The Empire Strikes Back, as Ben Thompson notes on Stratechery:
“It follows, then, that ChatGPT should obviously have an advertising model. This isn’t just a function of needing to make money: advertising would make ChatGPT a better product. It would have more users using it more, providing more feedback; capturing purchase signals — not from affiliate links, but from personalized ads — would create a richer understanding of individual users, enabling better responses. And, as an added bonus — and one that is very pertinent to this Article — it would dramatically deepen OpenAI’s moat.”
Others argue that Google is big and ugly enough to bleed OpenAI dry. Publishers may worry that a new multi-billion-dollar ad platform might bleed them dry.
One thing is for sure: 2026 will be the year of epic AI Star Wars between Google and OpenAI and the make-or-break year for Sam Altman to make good on his $1.4 trillion infrastructure ambitions.
Mark Riley, CEO Mathison AI
AI and Journalism
AI adoption by UK journalists and their newsrooms: surveying applications, approaches, and attitudes Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism - November 27, 2025 A recent survey of 1,004 UK journalists reveals that while over half use artificial intelligence (AI) in their work weekly—primarily for language-processing tasks like transcription and grammar checking—there's a prevailing concern about AI's impact on journalism, with 62% viewing it as a threat to the field. Despite limited integration of AI in newsrooms, many journalists expect increased adoption in the future, reflecting a complex relationship between optimism and apprehension toward technology in journalism. |
AI in journalism: A balance of efficiency and ethics Monadnock Ledger-Transcript - November 30, 2025 As New Hampshire journalists cautiously explore the use of AI in newsrooms, outlets like the Laconia Daily Sun and Concord Monitor emphasise that human judgment remains irreplaceable, with clear policies ensuring AI-generated content is vetted by real reporters. This initiative, part of Know Your News, highlights the importance of transparency, press freedom, and local journalism. |
AI in Journalism and Democracy: Can We Rely on It? Impakter - November 26, 2025 The rise of generative AI is reshaping journalism and media, posing significant risks for misinformation and the integrity of information, as AI-generated content can appear credible yet lack accuracy. As societies grapple with these challenges, establishing robust oversight mechanisms will be crucial to preserving trust in public institutions and ensuring informed discourse. |
RELEASE: STANDING UP TO PROTECT JOURNALISM FROM AI SLOP The New York Guild has announced a pivotal arbitration outcome on December 1, 2025, aimed at enhancing workers' rights and compensation within the industry. Media contact Jen Sheehan emphasised the decision's significance for promoting fair labour practices and improving workplace conditions for all employees. |
A Trustworthy AI Assistant for Investigative Journalists Stanford - In response to the decline of local newspapers, Stanford professor Monica Lam is developing DataTalk, a chatbot designed to assist journalists in analyzing public databases, starting with campaign finance data. This innovative tool aims to empower cash-strapped newsrooms and enhance investigative journalism by making data analysis more accessible and efficient. |
Award-winning journalists encourage students to embrace AI in the future of journalism The Berkeley Beacon - November 24, 2025 At Emerson College's Bill Bordy Theatre, a panel of award-winning journalists addressed the scepticism surrounding AI in journalism, emphasising its potential to enhance storytelling and productivity. While some students expressed concerns about ethical implications and environmental impact, experts encouraged viewing AI as a valuable tool that can augment journalistic skills and career prospects. |
Journalist Caught Publishing Fake Articles Generated by AI Futurism - November 28, 2025 The rise of AI-generated content has led to a crisis in journalism, with instances of fraudulent writers like Victoria Goldiee highlighting the decline in quality reporting as editors face overwhelming pressure to produce quickly. As acclaimed publications grapple with fabricated quotes and error-prone AI summaries, the industry's reliance on ad revenue becomes increasingly jeopardized. |
Tri-College Newspapers Host Panel on Politics, AI, and the State of Journalism The Clerk - December 1, 2025 On November 6, a panel of alumni journalists from the Tri-College Consortium discussed the vital yet challenged state of journalism in today's political climate and the impact of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the importance of truth and the human element in reporting. The discussion also addressed the growing distrust in media, the role of social media in shaping narratives, and the responsibility of journalists to combat misinformation while navigating the complexities of student activism and administrative accountability. |
Politico management violated key AI adoption safeguards, arbitrator finds Unionized journalists at Politico scored a significant victory in arbitration, ruling that the management's use of AI tools violated contract terms and journalistic standards. The decision emphasizes the need for human oversight in news gathering and reinforces union rights amidst growing concerns over AI in journalism. |
How CBC News will use AI responsibly to benefit our journalism — and keep your trust CBC - November 25, 2025 CBC News has launched the "Choose News, Not Noise" campaign to combat disinformation and ensure reliable journalism in the face of AI-generated content. With new guidelines emphasizing human oversight, transparency, and accountability, CBC aims to enhance journalistic integrity while responsibly integrating AI tools to improve efficiency and audience engagement. |
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AI and Academic Publishing
AI In Academic Publishing: Disruption or Evolution? Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning - November 26, 2025 The rise of AI in academic publishing, particularly since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, has enhanced efficiency but also raised concerns about quality, bias, and the potential suppression of innovative ideas. Dr. Kim, a distinguished researcher in adolescent development, exemplifies the ongoing need for human oversight in maintaining scientific integrity amidst these technological advancements. |
AI Reshapes Academic Publishing, Demands Strong Governance And Ethical Leadership Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing academic publishing by streamlining processes and improving access to knowledge, but its rapid adoption raises critical issues such as algorithmic bias and misinformation. To ensure the integrity of scientific work, stakeholders must prioritize ethical practices, transparency, and responsible use of AI tools in research and publication. |
Scholars Review Launches AI Platform for Rapid Academic Paper Analysis Wjtv - Discover a revolutionary AI peer review tool designed to enhance the manuscript evaluation process for researchers by offering detailed feedback and actionable improvements. This innovative platform not only assesses the strengths and weaknesses of academic papers but also recommends suitable journals, streamlining the publication journey and improving overall submission quality. |
Weekend reads: How an MIT student’s AI study ‘Fell Apart’; Egyptian scientists, Russian affiliations; the ‘dangers’ of bibliometrics with ‘polluted data’ Retraction Watch - November 29, 2025 This week at Retraction Watch, we explored pressing issues in scientific integrity, including faculty citation pressure at a Saudi university, concerns over AI-generated literature, and the impact of retractions linked to fraud in biomedical research. We also highlighted the potential of generative AI in enhancing scientific publishing and ongoing debates about the ethics of the current academic publishing model. |
Celebrating innovation and impact: the power of scholarly publishing Research Information - November 26, 2025 Celebrate innovation in scholarly communications by participating in the EPIC Awards, which honour groundbreaking contributions to research dissemination and public engagement. Submissions for the 2026 cycle are open until December 12, 2025—be part of this vital initiative promoting excellence, equity, and sustainability in the field! |
Open science – the CNRS's successes CNRS - November 25, 2025 The CNRS has made significant strides in advancing open science since 2019, with nearly all publications now available in open access and a shift towards the diamond publishing model to reduce costs. However, challenges such as rising article processing charges and data sovereignty concerns remain, prompting initiatives like Recherche Data Gouv for secure data management and calls for reform in researcher assessments. |
China's grand plan to dominate global publishing Asia Times - December 1, 2025 China is set to become a dominant force in global publishing within the next decade, fueled by robust domestic growth, digital innovation, and strategic international collaborations that enhance its cultural reach. With significant investments in academic publishing and a growing demand for original Chinese content, the nation's publishing sector is poised to reshape global narratives and knowledge sharing. |
Silicon Wadi Resurgent: Google Deepens Ties with Tel Aviv University in Strategic AI Push WebProNews - November 27, 2025 Google has announced a $1 million expansion of its partnership with Tel Aviv University to enhance AI research and ethical development, aiming to secure top talent amid global competition. This strategic investment not only fosters academic collaboration but also aligns with Google's focus on multimodal AI capabilities and addresses challenges like misinformation. |
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