AI in the News and Media
AI is having a profound effect on how news is produced, distributed, and consumed — with consequences for what we know, what we believe, and how we form opinions.
How AI is used in newsrooms
Many news organisations now use AI to draft routine stories — financial results, sports scores, weather reports — freeing journalists to focus on more complex work. Stuff, NZME, and international outlets are all experimenting with AI-assisted journalism.
Content recommendation and filter bubbles
The algorithm that decides which news articles you see is not designed to inform you — it is designed to keep you engaged. These systems have learned that outrage, fear, and controversy drive more clicks than nuanced, balanced reporting. The result is that our information environment is shaped by AI optimised for engagement, not accuracy.
Synthetic media and deepfakes
AI can now generate convincing fake images, audio, and video of real people saying or doing things they never did. While most deepfakes are harmless, the technology poses genuine risks for misinformation and for the credibility of legitimate media.
How to navigate this
- Seek out primary sources rather than summaries
- Be suspicious of content that provokes a strong emotional reaction
- Check whether the same story is reported by multiple independent outlets
- Reverse image search images that seem extraordinary
AI has made it cheaper to produce misinformation and harder to detect it. Media literacy is no longer optional — it is a core civic skill.