Application of algorithms in newsrooms

Abstract

This research examines how early journalistic adopters of algorithms gained skills necessary to work with automation and artificial intelligence in newsrooms. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with eight journalists from medium to large news organizations. The research identified three key findings: Not every journalist needs to learn skills related to automation and artificial intelligence but having a basic understanding of what they are and their capabilities would be beneficial. It is more about learning those skills at conceptual levels without having to learn highly technical mathematics and statistics behind automation and artificial intelligence. Knowledge about common failures of automation and artificial intelligence or being able to see where things can go wrong is as equally important as technical and professional skills.