AI cannot replace journalists' critical thinking skills.

TPO - Choosing journalism as a career, aspiring to become journalists whose works have a social impact, students like Linh Giang and Minh Ngoc believe that, in the current context of scientific and technological development, it is necessary to cultivate skills and technology to have the opportunity to work at reputable press agencies.

Passion alone is not enough

Do Linh Giang, a second-year student majoring in Television Journalism at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, shared that her entire family is a teacher, so she convinced her daughter to follow in her footsteps so she wouldn't be exposed to the sun or rain. However, Giang chose journalism to satisfy her passion for traveling.

Giang said that since she was a child, she would sit and watch TV and be attracted by the images of beautiful and confident MCs on TV. She cherished the dream of one day becoming an editor and appearing on TV.

Needless to say, when she heard the news that she had been accepted to the Academy of Journalism and Communication, she jumped for joy. Every day, she rode her motorbike nearly 50 kilometers back and forth to attend school, but in the past two years, she has never been discouraged.

In particular, in her second year, Giang joined the television club, and together with her friends and senior students, she went to many places to produce her first news and reports. From here, a vast sky opened up for Giang with countless stories and attractive and interesting images. Each person and each life Giang met had their own color and story, which made her broaden her knowledge but also made her worry and think.

Until now, Giang is still impressed with the filming trip to Da Sy blacksmith village ( Hanoi ), meeting a family who are very dedicated to their profession, enthusiastically talking about their passion, the hardships, and the joys the profession brings.

Standing for hours filming, watching the blacksmith work, each spark flying out like a bunch of flowers, that night Giang pondered and named the report: "Forging flowers from fire".

“Although filming in the sun and rain was very hard, when the product was released and received praise from teachers and friends, I was filled with joy all week. As I prepare to enter my third year as a journalism student, I am confident to say that I have chosen the right career,” Linh Giang confided.

Giang hopes to become a television reporter, to have the opportunity to venture out and travel to “broaden one’s horizons”. However, the female student also finds that, to create attractive journalistic products, journalists must have in-depth knowledge of their field of expertise, and have a style and perspective that can touch the hearts of others.

Giang on a reality show.

According to the female student, in the context of technology development as it is today, to have the opportunity to express themselves, young people must prove their abilities and have many skills. She has started to explore technology applications such as: Premier, audition, photoshop, graphic design... to create and complete news and articles.

“Many people tend to be reluctant to watch, lazy to read, prefer to surf their phones with short films in a few seconds. Journalistic products need to be innovated to attract viewers on platforms such as Tiktok, Facebook, YouTube... Therefore, young reporters need to have a deep understanding of technology, the Internet, social networks... as well as update trends and trends to keep up with the trend”, Do Linh Giang, journalism student.

Giang equipped herself with skills so that when she graduated, she could immediately jump into the real working environment. While learning knowledge in the classroom, Giang registered for additional courses to equip her with speaking skills, self-study on-site leadership, communication skills, etc.

“Because, I believe that every journalist must have a skillful way of talking, raising issues with the person they are talking to so that they can open up, be able to tell interesting stories, and even in that story there is a plot, a favorite quote to "grab" the headline", the female student shared.

Don't rely on AI

Nguyen Ha Minh Ngoc, a third-year student at the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, confided that he is a dynamic person, so when faced with a career opportunity, he did not hesitate to register for journalism.

Ngoc and two female students just won first prize in the school-level scientific research competition with the project "Application of artificial intelligence in learning and working activities of journalism students".

Minh Ngoc (far left) received the award for the scientific research competition on "Application of artificial intelligence in learning and working activities of journalism students".

Ngoc was introduced by the school's lecturer as one of the outstanding students who can create chatbots (virtual assistants) to build products. The video introducing tea products using AI technology by Ngoc and two female students made a strong impression on viewers with sharp, vivid images.

She boasts that she can now confidently make promotional videos, TVCs, illustrations, and even a weather forecast with a virtual MC.

Previously, the female student imagined that journalism was simply about interviewing and writing articles, the writer only needed to polish each sentence. But, when she got out into reality, she realized that modern journalism is more difficult, the challenges are greater, and it requires reporters to have more skills.

“Teachers always remind students: Technology is developing but we should not rely on AI, we need to promote the skills of a journalist, which are how to exploit information and the ability to debate issues,” Minh Ngoc, a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

AI development, supporting reporters in many tasks of searching for information, supporting image and video editing... is a great advantage for those working in the profession. However, the female student remembers the words of her teachers: "Do not rely on AI, do not forget the skills of a journalist, which are how to exploit information, the skills to debate issues. When going out into real life, reporters will approach and have different perspectives that technology can hardly do."

To have a place to show off her skills after graduating, the female student shared that she is taking advantage of her time to learn a trade, equip herself with foreign languages, diplomatic skills, and self-study about AI, MC, etc.

Ngoc revealed that, outside of school hours, she often wanders around filming locations and takes thousands of photos to gain experience. Ngoc also plans to complete her university program and look for opportunities to study abroad for a master's degree to gain a deeper understanding of the profession.

Ha Linh

Source: https://tienphong.vn/ai-khong-thay-the-duoc-ky-nang-phan-bien-cua-nha-bao-post1752761.tpo