Friend or foe? Human journalists’ perspectives on artificial intelligence in Chinese media outlets

Abstract

The development of the artificial intelligence (AI) platform Media Brain and the associated Xinhua AI news anchors have attracted a great deal of media attention. AI’s potential to boost the media value chain has prompted many media organizations to consider its broader applications in the media industry, but has also raised concerns among human journalists that they will be marginalized and ultimately replaced by AI. Using in-depth interviews, this study examined the perceptions of media practitioners working in the Chinese media industry of the impact of AI on media employment. It attempted to shed light on how AI may impact the media workforce, how human journalists understand their adaptability and resilience, and how media institutions strive to create an embracing organizational discourse through material demonstrations and rivalry for influence in the media market.

Keywords:

• AI
• human journalist
• organizational innovation
• Chinese media

Acknowledgements

The researchers would like to thank the 18 journalists for their participation and contributions to this study. Special thanks go to Dr. Hannah Oliha-Donaldson, Dr. Yan Bing Zhang, Dr. Fei Jiang, Annalise Baines, Bob Jones, and the reviewers and editors for their constructive comments and suggestions regarding this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by BFSU Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under grant number 2020JX045.

Notes on contributors

Yang Yu

Yang Yu (corresponding author) is a PhD candidate in the School of International Journalism and Communication, Beijing Foreign Studies University. She was also a journalist for the English Service of China Radio International. Her research interests include media technology and intercultural and international communication.

Kuo Huang

Kuo Huang is chief editor of the culture department, English-Language Programming Center of China Media Group. Her research interests include international communications, audience studies, and new media. She has published many journal papers and book chapters and authored the book Chinese Boxes: Reality TV and Audience Participation (2014).