AI and Journalism: Should AI be Used as a Tool or a Journalist?
Mariia Yazepova
BIO: My name is Mariia Yazepova, and I am from Kyiv, Ukraine. I am currently finishing up my degree in Sociology with a focus on Social Analysis and Strategic Communications, as well as a minor in Leadership and George Whitworth Honors. I am a member of the speech and debate team at Whitworth and am working as the copy chief for The Whitworthian newspaper. I will be presenting my research on organizational communication at the next Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference, in addition to having the chance to present my research on male engagement in universities at the Pacific Sociology Conference. I also received recognition from the Association for Women in Communications’ Seattle chapter, as well as numerous journalistic awards. In the future, I want to work in marketing, specifically in the social media realm, and I’m currently getting experience in the industry through an internship, as well as mentorship in the data analytics field.
MAJOR: Communications, Sociology
Minor: Leadership
Project Overview: AI is changing more quickly than ethical norms can keep up, especially in the profession of journalism (Simon, 2024). Although AI tools increase productivity, professional journalism’s survival and credibility are at risk due to their unchecked use. The human-centered principles that support press integrity are being undermined by automated news writing, copyright violations, and algorithmic disinformation (Simon, 2024). This project will compare human-reported stories to AI-generated failures, look at the ethical consequences of generative AI in journalism, and offer solutions for responsible innovation. Raising awareness of these dangers and promoting AI integration that complements human journalists rather than replaces them are the main goals. I decided to focus on this topic because I want to work in journalism, where these developments will have a direct impact on my future writing. As someone just starting out in the industry, I’m worried about how a reliance on AI might change my field of communications, possibly decreasing chances for original writing and eroding accountability standards. However, I am aware of the advantages these tools provide when used appropriately. In order to make sure that future industry professionals like myself can have credibility and ethical storytelling in an increasingly automated media landscape, this project reflects my interest in helping find a balance where innovation supports integrity.