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THE IMPACT OF AI ON COMMUNICATION

Kothari also has been looking at how AI tools, like generative AI—which creates brand new content based on data it has been given—are changing newsroom practices. In the past few years, she has interviewed and surveyed journalists and editors in the United States, United Kingdom, and Africa to understand how they’re incorporating AI tools, and if they aren’t, what their perception of the impact of generative AI is on their work. National and international news organizations have invested in both AI tools and staff with programming and data science skills, while mid-size and smaller media outlets have to rely on free or grant-funded products to experiment in their newsroom. While journalists are optimistic about the potential of generative AI, those using some of the tools also emphasize the need for human oversight because of biases and assumptions baked in AI models. The impact of generative AI extends to the classroom as well. For the first time in her 12-year teaching career, Kothari added a generative AI policy to her journalism syllabus last semester. “The ethical use of AI is important to teach students,” Kothari says. Kothari’s students can’t use a service like ChatGPT to write their stories, because it is not their original work. However, that does not mean there is no place for it in the classroom. For instance, summarizing reports, looking up data, or generating story ideas can be great ways for students and

AMMINA KOTHARI Professor, Journalism Director, The Harrington School of Communication and Media

Kothari’s students can’t use a service like ChatGPT to write their stories, because it is not their original work. However, that does not mean there is no place for it in the classroom. For instance, summarizing reports, looking up data, or generating story ideas can be great ways for students and professors to use AI to supplement learning.

professors to use AI to supplement learning.

“Storytelling is a powerful tool,” she says. “So how do we present the information in an engaging manner so people who aren’t part of the scientific community will be able to understand and connect with information and how it impacts them?”

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