- Editor: Shahd Atef
Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the media industry as it can now create everything from automated news stories to real-time sports updates to voice overs for TV reports.
Generative AI relies on machine learning models trained on big datasets, and often requires little to no human input. This creates a potential quagmire for journalism and media students around the world: How would they stand out in a world where stories could be artificially put together almost instantaneously?
A 2023 report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism report showed that AI is playing a stronger role in newsrooms, with 87 percent of news organizations around the world suggesting generative AI is changing the way journalism is done. News organizations such as The New York Times, BBC, and Axel Springer are already utilizing AI to automate workflows (60 percent) and with personalization of content for its readers. However, there are concerns mentioned in that report regarding AI-generated summaries on the search engines pulling traffic away from the original news sites. Hence the publishers are now trying to ensure competition by seeking licensing agreements with AI platforms to claim and get remunerated for their work.
“AI is great at handling repetitive tasks, like turning numbers into news stories,” said Naila Hamdy, associate professor and associate dean for graduate students and research. “But it can’t replace the human touch—the ability to dig deeper, ask tough questions, and tell stories that resonate with people.”
While AI can’t replace human journalists, its growing presence in newsrooms remains undeniable, creating both opportunities and challenges.
These emerging technologies are doing more than just reducing the time taken for newsroom tasks-they are transforming the entire story approach in terms of research, writing, and dissemination.
A recent report by the World Economic Forum mentioned that nearly a quarter of jobs around the world will see major changes, with AI and similar technologies being the prime movers, by 2027. Changes in the media, entertainment, and sports sectors will come quicker than in any other sectors. For students at AUC looking to enter these fields, this implies that they must keep their heads above water in the learning process; hence, it is better to learn how to complement rather than contend against the tools.
The emergence of AI in the field of journalism gives rise to debates: Is this tool a competitor to human journalists or a means to facilitate the smooth performance of their duties?
Many see the danger as familiar. “If your job is essentially rewriting press releases or summarizing data, AI can do that much quicker and for cheaper,” said Ahmed Samir, head of the breaking-news department at AlAin News, an Arabic news platform.
“Those journalists who do not adapt their skills to new media will be the ones to bite the dust in the end,” he added.
But others see AI as an opportunity. “AI can take care of the boring stuff, so journalists can focus on what really matters—telling great stories,” said Rasha Allam, chair of the journalism and mass communication department. She adds that the key is to see AI as a partner, not a rival.
Journalism is going through a change with AI, while certain things are still in the human domain. For critical thinking and investigative journalism, AI cannot dig deep or ask the right questions; in these situations, AI cannot compete. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), in its 2023 report, goes on to state that such human skills are what journalists must concentrate on in order to retain the worth of their work since these cannot be replaced by AI. It stresses the importance of these skills for the journalists to keep journalism meaningful in the digital age.
Human journalists continue to lead in multimedia storytelling. While AI can write articles, it still struggles to create engaging videos, podcasts, and graphics. A recent article by the Poynter Institute highlights that as AI transforms the media landscape, a blend of technology and human touch will be the key to success. Mastering these skills gives students a competitive advantage.
Understanding data is also becoming more important. Journalists must learn how to analyze, visualize, and interpret data to enhance storytelling. Additionally, ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content, including misinformation and bias, require journalists to navigate these challenges responsibly.
“The ethical issues around AI in journalism are huge…As AI becomes more integrated into newsrooms, we need journalists who understand these challenges and are committed to using technology responsibly,” said Mervat Abo Ouf, professor of practice at the department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
The School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) emphasizes traditional reporting skills, critical thinking, and ethical journalism, while discouraging the use of AI-generated content in news writing. Student media projects like The Caravan and AUC Times continue to focus on human-centered storytelling, ensuring that aspiring journalists develop the skills necessary to report with accuracy, depth, and integrity.
These efforts aim to go beyond technical know-how encouraging a critical awareness of AI’s application in journalism.
“We’re not just teaching students how to use AI—we’re teaching them how to think critically about it….The goal is to prepare them for a future where AI is part of the job,” said Sahar Sedky, a professor of practice of journalism and mass communication.
With the transformation brought by AI in the media industry, AUC journalism and media students will have their choices: Adapt or lose out. Chances are to be taken with new adapting skills; at least keeping abreast of new technologies up to the best ethical standards that the world will now be able to accommodate them.
“The future of journalism isn’t about competing with AI—it’s about using it to tell better stories,” said Layla Hashem, a Multimedia Communication and Journalism (MMCJ) junior. “If we can do that, we’ll not only survive but thrive in this new era.”
