From automata to algorithms: A jobs-to-be-done approach to AI in journalism
Abstract
This exploration of AI’s impact on journalism draws parallels with 18th-century automata, tracing a historical fascination with artificial life to today’s generative AI technologies. It discusses how AI is reshaping journalistic practices, challenging traditional notions of the profession. Rather than take a binary position that pits humans against machines, it proposing a “jobs-to-be-done” framework to understand AI’s role in journalism. This approach highlights how AI can best serve the needs of communities and media organizations, moving away from a focus on which journalistic tasks can and cannot be replaced by AI. It suggests a hybrid future where humans and AI collaborate in journalism, with roles and responsibilities evolving based on the job-to-be-done for the industry, the profession and the public.
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In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Estudios sobre el Mensaje Periodístico is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
