The future of newsrooms

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

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

In The Journalist: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Journalism , Francesco Marconi—who was instrumental in pushing for the use of AI in journalism at the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal —takes a fresh look at the technology's potential.

He explains how reporters, editors, and newsrooms of all sizes can leverage the power they provide to develop new ways of telling stories that connect with readers.

Journalistic intuition and machine intelligence

Through case studies, Marconi lays out the challenges and opportunities AI brings, and emphasizes the point that AI can enhance—not automate—the journalism industry.

Marconi cited survey data from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, which showed that 78% of respondents believe that investing in AI is necessary, while 85% believe that 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.

Leveraging machines to source and analyze data can expose newsrooms to new topics, add a wealth of context to reporting, and open up transparent channels of communication with readers.

For example, the Financial Times used AI to develop “She Said He Said,” a bot that automatically finds out whether a source cited in an article is male or female.

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

The book Journalist - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Journalism published by Tre Publishing House - Photo: HO LAM

Gathering news through sensors and winning a Pulitzer Prize

The author of the book "The Journalist" also believes that currently, news sources do not only come from people but also from smart devices such as: sensors in vehicles, data transmission devices that track movement can also provide more context for news.

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

Like determining the most popular songs at a concert, the most influential match in a tournament.

Or monitor the vibration of construction sites to measure the impact on surrounding residents and businesses," Marconi analyzed.

A real-life example is the South Florida Sun Sentinel, which used GPS sensors to track off-duty police officers speeding. For this reporting, they won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2013.

Some news organizations are even experimenting with AI-powered sensors. Researcher Stephanie Ho, working with NYU's Studio 20 journalism program, has developed a prototype of sensor-equipped cameras for Associated Press reporters and photographers working at major 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 photo and email it back to the reporter.

Despite their progress, according to the author, many newsrooms see them as a threat and see the disappearance of the profession in them. "In a more accurate perspective, technological advances do not replace traditional ways of finding news, but rather expand the newsroom's approach to data and insights," Marconi commented.

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

He was head of R&D at the Wall Street Journal , leading a team of scientists , 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 , leading efforts to automate content and apply AI.

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