AI in Journalism: more efficiency, but greater responsibility

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping journalism faster than any previous technological wave. It can analyse data in seconds, transcribe interviews instantly, and summarise complex reports in moments. It is a powerful ally - but also a demanding one. Because as AI takes over tasks once done by humans, the responsibility of journalists to verify, interpret and protect truth only grows. AI can accelerate research, but it cannot understand nuance or context. It doesn’t know when a quote has moral weight or when a number hides a human story. The role of the journalist remains to question, verify and explain. Major news agencies such as the Associated Press and Reuters now allow AI tools only under strict human supervision. The BBC, in its own policy, forbids using generative AI for news gathering without editorial control. The message is consistent: AI is a tool - not a reporter. A recent Reuters Institute study shows that audiences trust traditional news brands more than AI-generated news. People might admire AI’s speed, but they still trust human judgment and transparent reporting far more. AI can fabricate sound and image with frightening realism. The risk is not theoretical - it’s already here. For journalists, this means treating every visual or audio file as potentially manipulated until verified. Yet technology alone is not enough; the duty of proof still lies with us.Journalism’s mission has not changed: to discover what is true and make it understood. The difference is that in the AI era, this mission demands more skill, more discipline, and more courage than ever before. AI gives us extraordinary reach and speed. But it also exposes us to misinformation at the same velocity. The solution is not to resist technology but to pair innovation with integrity — to build systems that are both intelligent and accountable.AI does not free journalists from responsibility - it raises the bar. In this new landscape, skepticism must be our default setting. Every fact, image, and quote should be treated as potentially altered until proven authentic. Editorial brand remains the ultimate trust anchor. In an age of overwhelming noise, heritage and credibility stand as the clearest signals of truth.FACTSWhat is AI?Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence — such as understanding language, recognising patterns, analysing data and making predictions. Generative AI goes a step further, creating new text, images and video based on existing information.AI in numbers

• Global data centres currently consume about 1% of the world’s electricity, a figure projected to double by 2030, reaching nearly 945 terawatt-hours per year.(Sources: International Energy Agency, World Economic Forum 2025)

Upcoming AI & tech Events in Qatar 2025

• MWC Doha 2025 (25–26 Nov). Focused on telecom, smart infrastructure and AI-driven innovation.
• World Summit AI Qatar 2025 (9–10 Dec, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center). Global conference under the patronage of MCIT, uniting industry, academia and policymakers to shape the future of AI.