• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, Yesterday

The most valuable journalists will soon be “hybrids” — those who are AI-literate while adhering to traditional newsroom values, judging by The Future Newsroom, a study from Trint.  

Reporters will need these technical skills within the next one to three years:

• Digital verification & fact-checking techniques — 87%
• AI prompt engineering & optimization — 70% 
• Data analysis & interpretation — 61%
• Audio/video production & editing — 57%
• Understanding of algorithmic content distribution — 57% 
• Audience analytics & engagement metrics — 43% 
• Social media strategy & platform management — 43% 
• SEO & contact optimization — 33%
• Digital security & privacy protection — 35%
• Basic coding/programmatic skills — 30%

This is a far cry from 50 years ago, say, when a reporter had to be able to take notes, write on a typewriter and use the telephone to call in stories (to mention only the technical requirements). 

However, there are major barriers to effective AI training in newsrooms: 

• Lack of time/competing priorities — 77%
• Lack of qualified trainers/training resources — 41%
• Legal/ethical concerns about AI use — 36%
• Staff resistance to learning technologies — 27%
• Unclear about what skills to prioritize — 27% 
• Limited budget for training programs — 23%
• Rapid pace of AI technology change — 23%
• Technical infrastructure limitations — 18%
• Senior leadership buy-in — 14%

As for the editorial side of things, the respondents say these skills will become even more important with AI: 

• Ethical decision-making — 83%
• Source verification & fact-checking — 83%
• Critical thinking & analysis — 74%
• Editorial judgment & news sense — 61%
• Investigative research techniques — 61% 
• Relationship building & community engagement — 61%
• Creative & original thinking — 57%
• Storytelling & narrative construction — 52%
• Interview & interpersonal skills — 48%
• Subject matter expertise/beat knowledge — 26%

Despite all of the above, generative AI has not greatly affected skills requirements in newsrooms. Respondents say:

• Moderately, some adaption needed — 41%
• Slightly, minimal impact thus far — 32%
• No impact yet — 13%
• Too early to tell — 9%
• Very significantly, major changes required — 5%

Even with that slow start, 52% of newsrooms say AI literacy will be essential within one to three years. Another 26% feel it will be very important and 9% say moderately important. And 9% are not sure.

How are newsrooms applying generative AI? Only 18% are extensively using it, while 32% have had limited experience and 41% have used AI moderately. Transcription and translation are the most used applications, with other applications as follows:

• Transcription — 86%
• Translation — 73%
• Content creation assistance (writing, editing) — 50%
• Research & fact-checking support — 50%
• Headline generation — 45%
• Data analysis & visualization — 41%
• Administrative task automation — 32%
• Social media optimization — 32%
• Photo/video editing & enhancement — 27%
• Audience engagement & personalization — 23%

This report analyzes quantitative survey data in aggregate, and also drew on the perspectives of 23 newsroom professionals and leading academics.