{
  "id": 19034702,
  "title": "AI may transform journalism but not replace human judgment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/ai-may-transform-journalism-but-not-replace-human-judgment",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-08T22:20:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/11/1573642/ai-may-transform-journalism-not-replace-human-judgment"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the way news is gathered, produced and distributed, according to leaders from major international news agencies. However, they emphatically state that AI cannot replace the human judgment, integrity and instincts that are crucial to credible journalism. Reuters president Paul Bascobert explains that while AI can enhance newsroom efficiency and expand journalists' capabilities, it lacks the ability to discern truth from falsehood, assess sources and understand human behavior. He emphasizes that what truly makes a good journalist is something no machine can replicate, such as gaining people's trust, reading human cues, and understanding subtle nuances in conversation. These human qualities are often where the real story is hidden, according to Bascobert.\n\nDuring the plenary session of the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing, Bascobert stated that Reuters views AI as a tool to support journalists in tasks like searching through large volumes of data, transcribing interviews, and identifying patterns. The company does not intend to automate judgment. Similarly, Agence France-Presse president and CEO Fabrice Fries underscores the importance of human judgment in the future of AI. He notes that AI systems depend on the quality of the information ecosystem they are built upon. If journalism loses its commitment to truth, the reliability of AI will follow suit. Fries warns that without a steady supply of original reporting grounded in reality, AI risks being entangled in a loop of synthetic content, resulting in systems that are powerful but not trustworthy. He also calls for AI companies to compensate news organizations for their original journalism.\n\nAP president and CEO Daisy Veerasingham echoes these sentiments, stressing that technological advancements should reinforce, not undermine, the core principles of journalism. She highlights the critical role of independent journalism in navigating an increasingly complex information landscape, especially as AI makes it easier to disseminate misinformation and convincing deepfakes. Veerasingham advocates for clear standards governing AI use, along with frameworks that protect intellectual property and acknowledge the value of original reporting. The 7th World Media Summit, themed \"Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action,\" gathers media leaders, government representatives, academics, and industry experts from over 100 countries to deliberate on the future of journalism and the impact of emerging technologies.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : AI May Transform Journalism But Not Replace Human Judgment, Media Leaders Say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/general-ai-may-transform-journalism-but-not-replace-human-judgment",
        "published": "2026-11-08T02:29:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}