As AI has emerged, it has been implemented in fields across the board, including journalism. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and more have become accessible to anyone with an internet connection. It is a useful tool that can create and correct, which has made great waves in the creative worlds, for better or for worse.
These chatbots can be used to complete assignments and other tasks beyond classes and creative realms, but when AI is used as a shortcut for a student or professional, it isn’t helping; it only harms the user by creating a crutch and a shortcut that will prevent further enhancement of skills.
However, when used in the proper capacity as an aid, rather than what completes the assignment, it can be helpful to help generate ideas, develop a story and enhance writing after a story has been fleshed out.
In class as a Journalism major, we were taught that AI can be used to:
- Generate headlines for a finished story
- Formulate a nut graf
- Help streamline the story
- Generate interview questions
- Pick out keywords for SEO optimization
There are tools beyond the basic AI programs that are tailored to help with these specific things, which can help a student write their story.
AI can also be used to teach skills and hone them, rather than just replace them for you. It has the capability to teach a novice the foundation of journalistic writing, an amateur the basics of photography before going to an event, or make sure that a piece aligns with AP style guidelines before submission.
It is important to see the line between using AI to complete menial tasks and finish assignments and using AI to help and enhance pieces that a human has created with real effort. It is a strong tool that, when used correctly, can be a great resource for anybody;
AI shouldn't be replacing journalists; it should at most only be used in the tools of a journalist's utility belt.
