Those who work in the press and need agility to deliver reports on time must look for tools that optimize daily tasks. In this context, artificial intelligence in journalism is an innovative option that has been revolutionizing communication in general.
Are you interested in this topic, but still do not know for sure what artificial intelligence is? Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this article, we will explain everything about this technology and how it can help journalists in their daily work routines. Check it out!
What is artificial intelligence and how does it work?
Artificial intelligence is a type of application that imitates human reasoning to perform tasks, and can be constantly improved due to its learning capacities based on the information that the system collects. Nowadays, this expression has been used in a more generic way. For example, to refer to applications that perform complex tasks that, in the past, required user intervention, such as communicating with a client over the internet or a chess match.
In order to take advantage of AI’s features, several companies have been investing heavily in data science experts. In case you have never heard of data science, it is an interdisciplinary field, which uses scientific methods, among others, to extract valuable information based on data.
In this way, it combines the skills of experts in statistics and computer science, along with other business professionals in order to perform analysis of data that is collected in a variety of ways.
How does artificial intelligence in journalism work?
When we talk about mixing AI and journalism together, usually it still causes some surprise. But, in fact, this happens due to misinformation, especially when it comes to algorithms, Big Data and machine learning.
It’s important for you to know that AI-based tools can fully facilitate the work of journalists, through the detection of odd information, for example, or through the analysis of large data sets.
For example, it is capable of gathering information about the temperature variation in certain places, which can be of great help to several professionals who work in the meteorology area of journalism, such as weather forecasts.
We should also mention that it is through AI algorithms that the personalization of a news page is carried out, and its publication on a certain day and time happens due to machine learning.
However, there is a clear need to offer AI training at journalistic institutions. It might seem paradoxical, but despite the great potential of bringing these two areas of knowledge together, very little has been done at the organizational level to implement AI applications in the newsrooms.
What are the advantages of artificial intelligence in journalism?
You already know what artificial intelligence is and how it works in journalism. Now, would you like to check out the main advantages of using this technology? Keep on reading!
Automation of basic tasks
When applied to journalism, AI is capable of automating a number of basic tasks — but don’t worry, journalists won’t be replaced. This type of technology is able to add great value by replacing repetitive tasks that consume the time of those who are in the newsroom. Such as:
- perform content indexing and tagging tasks;
- transcribe interviews;
- translate content;
- analyze large databases looking for certain patterns or anomalies;
- extract information about entities through documents or databases;
- identify trends and events on social media.
In this context, scheduling automated alerts about online trends allows journalists to focus on other tasks. Among other examples, it’s possible to notice that the journalists themselves will not be replaced by technology, but that their basic tasks will be facilitated.
Therefore, the trend of incorporating this type of technology in newsrooms has come to improve the content produced, since writers will have more time to develop quality content. By implementing this tool, journalists will continue their essential work and gain more time to produce and focus on other tasks.
Automating more complex tasks
We have talked about the advantages of automating basic tasks. But you should know that AI is also capable of performing more complex tasks. Such as:
- workflow management;
- paywall improvement and digital subscription optimization;
- automation of recommendation tools and assistance in news personalization;
- automated writing of small informational texts, such as results of football matches and data on the financial market;
- audience engagement and interactivity development;
- alerts about the existence of gender and race discriminating content;
- search for fake news.
More accurate data analysis
AI technologies are able to perform optimized data analysis, supporting reporting tools, which includes transcribing, extracting data from documents and other databases, analyzing information, and identifying trends on social networks.
This is one of the main advantages of using artificial intelligence in journalism. With the help of AI, writers are able to be more assertive when analyzing what will be published or not. It also makes it much more practical to produce excellent journalistic texts, since the data repository will have been treated, bringing up specific information, which can be used in the best possible way.
As we have mentioned, one of the main tasks carried out by AI is the identification of trends on social networks. This type of analysis is critical these days, since the target audience of most journalism entities is specifically using digital media, and with AI tools, news can be optimally targeted. It’s safe to say that analyzes like this make all the difference when reaching a certain audience for specific news subjects.
To wrap up, we must highlight the importance of technological resources in journalism. It is not news to anyone that technology is capable of creating solutions that we thought were impossible. Therefore, no matter the area of activity, investing in technological resources is the best way to optimize the work.
After reading this article and learning everything about artificial intelligence in journalism, you are ready to implement this type of tool in your newsroom. Don’t leave the future for later, start now by investing in modern solutions that will bring the best results.
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