The future of newsrooms

Will the use of artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms, and intelligent machines be the end or the savior of journalism?

Francesco Marconi, author of the book *The Journalist*, argues that the future of newsrooms depends on investing in both people and technology.

In his book *The Journalist - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Journalism *, Francesco Marconi, a leading figure in promoting the use of AI in journalism at the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal , offers a new perspective on the technology's potential.

He explained how reporters, editors, and newsrooms of all sizes can leverage the capabilities they offer to develop new ways of storytelling and connect with readers.

Journalistic intuition and machine intelligence

Through case studies, Marconi highlights the challenges and opportunities that AI brings, while emphasizing the view that AI can advance – but not automate – journalism.

Marconi cited data from a Reuters Institute for Journalism Studies survey, indicating that 78% of respondents believe investing in AI is necessary, while 85% believe journalists will help newsrooms overcome future challenges.

The author argues that the future of newsrooms depends on investing in both people and technology, where journalistic intuition and machine intelligence work together seamlessly.

Leveraging machines to find sources and analyze data can lead newsrooms to new topics, add a wealth of context to reporting, and open up a transparent channel of communication with readers.

For example, the Financial Times used AI to develop "She Said He Said," an automated bot that identifies whether the source cited in an article is male or female.

This system works by using a text analysis algorithm, searching for pronouns and proper names to determine the gender of the person mentioned in an article. As reporters write articles, the bot will alert them if there is a gender imbalance.

The book "Journalists - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Journalism," published by Nha Xuat Ban Tre (Youth Publishing House) - Photo: Ho Lam

Gathering information through sensors and winning a Pulitzer Prize.

The author of the book "The Journalist" also argues that nowadays, news sources come not only from humans but also from smart devices such as sensors in vehicles and motion-tracking data transmission devices, which can provide more context for news.

"Smart sensor devices can provide data on traffic, weather, population density, or energy consumption. With similar devices, journalists can monitor vibrations and noise from events."

Just as identifying the most popular songs at a concert can be like determining the most influential match in a tournament.

"It's important to monitor the vibrations from construction sites to measure the impact on surrounding residents and businesses," Marconi analyzed.

A real-world example is the South Florida Sun Sentinel, which collected data from GPS sensors to investigate police officers speeding while off-duty. This report earned them the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2013.

Some news organizations are even experimenting with AI-powered sensors. Researcher Stephanie Ho collaborated with NYU's Studio 20 journalism program to develop a prototype with sensor-equipped cameras for Associated Press reporters and photographers working at large public events.

These sensors will monitor the entire space for triggers, such as noise, and when those triggers reach a certain threshold, the sensor will take a picture and email it to the reporter.

Despite these advancements, the author argues that many news organizations view them as a threat, seeing the disappearance of their profession. "From a more accurate perspective, technological advancements don't replace traditional news searching methods, but rather expand newsrooms' access to data and insights," Marconi observes.

Francesco Marconi is a journalist, computer researcher, and co-founder of Applied XL.

He was formerly the head of R&D at the Wall Street Journal , leading a team of scientists and journalists specializing in data and algorithms in journalism to develop data tools for the newsroom.

Prior to joining the Wall Street Journal , he worked as a strategy manager at the Associated Press , where he led content automation efforts and AI applications.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tuong-lai-cua-cac-toa-soan-20250620094211475.htm