New Delhi

Growing misinformation fears amid AI integration

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The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has produced research that raises global concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in news production and misinformation. This presents additional hurdles for newsrooms, which are already struggling with audience engagement and revenue growth.

The annual Digital News Report, released on Monday, draws on surveys of over 100,000 people from 47 countries to underscore the challenges that the news media industry has in maintaining its economic models. As digital giants and startups like Google and OpenAI build tools that summarise content and divert traffic away from news websites, newsrooms are addressing the developing challenge of generative AI.

Consumer distrust in AI-generated news

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The survey reveals that consumers are sceptical of AI-generated news material, particularly on sensitive themes such as politics. In the United States, 52% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with news generated primarily by AI. In the UK, the percentage was considerably higher, at 63%. The survey, which included 2,000 participants from each country, found that, while there is some acceptance of AI supporting journalists behind the scenes, the public is still apprehensive of AI's role in content creation.

"It was surprising to see the level of suspicion," said Nic Newman, senior research associate at Reuters Institute and the report's principal author. "People broadly had fears about what might happen to content reliability and trust."

Rising misinformation and election-year concerns

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The research also found a three-point increase in concerns about fake news items online, with 59% of respondents expressing concern. This anxiety is particularly strong in South Africa and the United States, where the figures are 81% and 72%, respectively, as both countries prepare for elections this year.

Stagnation in paid news subscriptions

Another key concern noted in the report is the stagnation of paid news subscriptions. Despite a minor increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, just 17% of respondents from 20 nations reported paying for online news, a figure that has remained consistent over the last three years. In the United States, a significant majority of customers do not pay full price, with 46% receiving discounts or promotional prices.

Influencers overtaking traditional news outlets

The findings also indicate a shift in how younger audiences consume news, with influencers outperforming mainstream media on platforms such as TikTok. Among the 5,600 TikTok users polled, 57% stated they mostly follow individual personalities for news, while 34% follow journalists or news brands.

Vitus "V" Spehar, a TikTok creator with 3.1 million followers, is one of the influencers mentioned by respondents. Spehar's unique method of giving news while lying on the floor beneath their desk sets them apart from regular news anchors, providing a more relatable and kinder view of current events.

(With inputs from Agencies)