• by Ray Schultz , Yesterday

European journalists are using generative artificial intelligence—with certain limits, judging by an academic study just published.  

Of 286 journalists surveyed in Belgium and the Netherlands, over half have used GenAI. However, they have mostly applied it to support “current (predominantly text-based) practices,” the study abstract says. “This indicates that genAI is not yet transforming journalistic workflows.”

Indeed, 85% believe AI will exacerabate the problem of fake news, and 83% feel it will erode trust in journalism, Politico.eu reports. 

GenAI usage is influenced by such factors as AI literacy. 

“Despite its adoption, genAI is perceived as an assistant rather than a displacement, with journalists emphasising values like authenticity, objectivity, and human oversight,” the abstract continues. “Ethical concerns persist, with journalists advocating clear ethical guidelines and shared responsibilities within the news ecosystem.”

The study adds, “No regional divide was found between the three distinct yet similar small-market newsrooms of Flanders, Wallonia, and the Netherlands.”

The authors are Stephanie D’haeseleer, Kristin Van Damme, Hannes Cools, Sarah Van Leuven and Tom Evens.