Applying artificial intelligence in journalism: Mastering technology, maintaining professional values

On the morning of June 1, at the Huynh Thuc Khang Journalism School National Monument, a thematic session with the theme “Application of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism activities” was held with the participation of many leaders, reporters, and editors of Thai Nguyen Newspaper. This is a practical activity towards the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025), while contributing to raising awareness and capacity to apply digital technology in professional activities.

Journalist Nguyen Ngoc Son, Editor-in-Chief of Thai Nguyen Newspaper, spoke at the thematic session.

Journalist Dao Ngoc Anh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thai Nguyen Newspaper, spoke at the thematic session.

Journalist Chu The Ha, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Thai Nguyen Newspaper, spoke at the thematic session.

At the meeting, journalists focused on clarifying the potential, trends, opportunities and challenges in applying AI to the modern journalism process. In particular, current issues were discussed enthusiastically such as: How to effectively apply AI in the journalism process? How to combine technology and journalist emotions to create quality works? How can AI support editing and print design? How should AI be controlled to ensure information accuracy and transparency? And especially, how to take advantage of technology while still maintaining the core values of journalism?

Scene of the thematic meeting.

Delegates attending.

The thematic session is not only an opportunity to share practical experiences in AI application, but also a forum for journalists to exchange and consolidate professional awareness in the context of technology that is profoundly changing the way modern journalism is done. At the same time, it affirms the proactive and positive steps of Thai Nguyen Newspaper in approaching, adapting and mastering artificial intelligence - an inevitable trend of modern journalism. On the traditional foundation, Thai Nguyen Newspaper is continuing its journey of transformation with the times, maintaining the mindset of a revolutionary journalist in the digital age.

Thai Nguyen Newspaper summarizes the opinions presented at the seminar on AI application in journalism.

AI application improves digital communication efficiency at Thai Nguyen Newspaper

Journalist Van Hien, Head of Electronics Department, delivered a speech.

Journalist Van Hien, Head of Electronic Department: In the process of digital transformation, Thai Nguyen Newspaper identifies electronic newspapers as an important platform that needs to be prioritized for innovation. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) has been opening up many feasible directions to improve publishing efficiency, personalize content and expand interaction with readers.

First of all, AI helps automate the production of multimedia content. Through virtual MCs, text-to-speech and video software, we can produce news bulletins, flash news, summary resolutions, policies, etc. in the form of images and sounds in a short time. This is a solution suitable for the trend of "watching, listening and reading" on digital platforms.

Next, AI supports analyzing user data, thereby suggesting content suitable for each target group, optimizing posting schedules, reading and viewing times, and increasing coverage. At the same time, AI tools help suggest titles, extract outstanding content, analyze SEO keywords, and help increase organic traffic.

We also apply AI to check spelling and grammar to improve the technical quality of articles, and test AI to create infographics, illustrations, and videos.

AI is contributing to reshaping the process of producing and publishing electronic newspapers, helping Thai Nguyen Newspaper expand its ability to reach digital readers quickly, flexibly and more appropriately with modern information consumption trends.

Combining Journalists and Artificial Intelligence – How to Get Quality Work?

Journalist Thu Nga, reporter of the Economic Department, gave a speech.

Journalist Thu Nga, reporter of the Economic Department: In the context of strong digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied in journalism activities. However, the question is: How to effectively combine journalists and AI to create quality journalism products? To do that, journalists need to identify AI as a supporting tool, not a substitute for the thinking, ethics and professional identity of journalists.

Journalists need to proactively master technology, not let AI dominate their work. There are three principles that need to be firmly grasped: Clearly define the goal of using AI, do not chase quantity or "generate articles" en masse, but should utilize AI as an "editorial assistant" to synthesize data, suggest titles, and shorten content. Coordinate flexibly, censor strictly, all content suggested by AI needs to be checked by editors, adding depth, context and local identity. Maintain the spirit of a journalist, quality work not only needs to be fast and correct, but also needs to have emotions, critical thinking and a unique perspective.

For local journalism, AI opens up many opportunities in optimizing the publishing process and digitizing data. However, the core is still content serving the people and maintaining the guiding role. The key lies in the journalist, with a professional heart and a sense of social responsibility.

AI helps make editing smoother, but humans are still at the center

Journalist Hong Tam, Editor of the Secretariat - Editorial Office, delivered a speech.

Journalist Hong Tam, Editor of the Secretariat - Editorial Office: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) is providing effective support in the process of processing press works. AI helps editors work more conveniently when they can check for grammatical and spelling errors, edit sentences to become neater, clearer and more logical. Not only that, AI also suggests attractive titles, supports search engine optimization (SEO) for articles published on electronic newspapers - which is especially important in the current digital press environment. However, the abuse of AI also poses many challenges in terms of losing control of content when over-reliant on technology. There have been cases where some major newspapers published false news due to using AI for editing without carefully checking the data.

AI should only be considered a reference tool, supporting the idea generation, while the core content must still originate from the understanding, responsibility and experience of journalists. From this reality, I propose that there should be clear regulations from management agencies to guide the use of AI in journalism activities, ensuring effectiveness without overshadowing the role of humans in the news production process.

AI Control to Ensure Information Authenticity and Transparency

Journalist Nguyen Nguyen, Head of Culture and Society Department, delivered a speech.

Journalist Nguyen Nguyen, Head of Culture and Society: AI also helps newsrooms optimize content production processes, analyze reader behavior, and adjust communication strategies in real time. Thanks to machine learning and big data analysis capabilities, AI can identify public interests, thereby suggesting topics or proposing more appropriate approaches for each target group.

However, the smarter AI becomes, the greater the ethical and legal responsibility placed on journalists and newsrooms. The use of AI is not only a technical issue, but also a problem related to transparency, legitimacy and information orientation. A press product supported by AI still needs to ensure factors of verification, credibility and consistency with the press agency's principles. If not strictly controlled, AI can erode public trust, or worse - become an unwitting tool for misinformation.

The use of AI needs to be within an ethical framework, with transparent controls and clear responsibilities. To do that, it is necessary to perfect the legal framework, algorithm transparency, independent audit, enhance digital skills education and promote multi-sectoral cooperation. For each journalist, AI can be applied to support fast and accurate data collection and analysis; increase the speed of news production; detect and verify fake news. However, it is also necessary to identify AI as a tool, not a writer. Journalism can only develop sustainably when technology serves people, not replaces people.

AI assists with technology, but the style and responsibility are human

Journalist Tran Nguyen, Head of Party Building and Internal Affairs Department, delivered a speech.

Journalist Tran Nguyen, Head of the Party Building - Internal Affairs Department: During the working process, AI can provide initial support in building an outline, suggesting approaches and organizing the implementation of a topic according to a predetermined purpose. However, AI absolutely cannot replace humans in essential stages, especially in data processing, expressing emotions and ethical and professional values of a journalistic work.

A true journalistic product is not only a collection of information but also a combination of critical thinking, political courage and the personal mark of the journalist. In which, the role of the journalist is still central – the person with the highest responsibility for the information provided to the public, in terms of accuracy, orientation and social impact.

AI can assist, but the person in charge of information, events and social responsibility is still the journalist, and nothing can replace him. Therefore, every journalist needs to maintain political courage and revolutionary ethics, considering them an indispensable foundation to properly deal with AI and effectively promote technology without losing the nature of the profession.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/thoi-su-thai-nguyen/202506/ung-dung-tri-tue-nhan-tao-trong-hoat-dong-bao-chi-lam-chu-cong-nghe-giu-vung-gia-tri-nghe-7270b0e/