Artificial Intelligence and Journalism: A Necessary Partnership or an Existential Threat?

By Sheikha Suhaila Fahad Al-Sabah
Managing Editor

Amidst the technological acceleration that is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace, journalism stands at a crucial crossroads, where anxiety mingles with hope, and existential questions intertwine with new possibilities. The debate surrounding artificial intelligence is no longer an intellectual luxury or a postponed future discussion; it has become a daily reality knocking on the doors of newsrooms, raising the fundamental question once again: Are we witnessing the decline of journalism as we have known it, or the birth of a more complex and profound role for the journalist in an era where information proliferates and truth diminishes?

The digital transformations, which accelerated remarkably after the COVID-19 pandemic, have exposed the fragility of many media models that relied on speed and reach as substitutes for analysis and knowledge. Established institutions have been forced to downsize their staff and close entire departments, replacing in-depth reporting with fleeting content whose success is measured by the number of clicks, not by its impact on public awareness. However, major crises, from complex wars to pivotal political decisions, quickly exposed the flaws in this model. These platforms found themselves unable to explain events and were forced to turn to seasoned journalists and experts capable of reading between the lines and connecting events to their historical and social context.

This return was not accidental, but rather a confirmation of a long-standing truth that some have ignored: the stories that endure in readers’ memories are those connected to their lives and concerns, written with awareness, knowledge, and serious research—not those born and dying in the chaos of digital overflow. Technology, no matter how advanced, has yet to replace the human sense capable of capturing subtle details and understanding the contradictions of reality.

Conversely, it is undeniable that artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of journalism from within. Functions that were once considered essential pillars of newsrooms, such as proofreading, translation, and writing short news items, are now threatened with extinction by tools that perform these tasks in moments and at virtually no cost.

However, this transformation does not signify the end of journalism itself, but rather the end of the journalist who merely hands over raw material to the machine. Value now lies with those who understand the logic of algorithms, are adept at manipulating them, and are aware of data biases and limitations. Newsrooms are gradually becoming spaces for monitoring automated production, where the journalist becomes akin to an algorithmic inspector, reviewing not only the text but also its generation process and its hidden criteria.

The most serious challenge, however, lies not in job losses, but in the erosion of credibility itself. With the development of deepfake technologies, the image, once considered irrefutable evidence, has become a constant source of doubt. Fabricated videos have infiltrated coverage of international conflicts, confusing both the public and institutions, to the point where verification has become a daily, arduous task, not a professional luxury.

The situation is further complicated by platform algorithms and search engines that trap individuals within information bubbles, reinforcing their existing beliefs and shutting them out of alternative viewpoints. In the same place, at the same moment, two people might experience entirely different realities because the algorithm has determined this based on browsing history and pre-existing biases.

With this fragmentation, an event is no longer a unified whole, but rather scattered fragments consumed in isolation from its roots. New generations of journalists are drawn to rapid data and immediate results, at the expense of accumulated journalistic memory. This creates a dangerous narrative gap that empties stories of their depth and transforms journalism into a soulless, instantaneous recording.

These problems are exacerbated by a clear legislative and ethical vacuum. While developed countries have rushed to adapt artificial intelligence within strict legal frameworks that protect intellectual property, enforce transparency, and consciously integrate these technologies into education and media, the Arab world remains hesitant, oscillating between fear and indifference. The absence of clear regulations opens the door to chaotic use, weakens the protection of journalists and authors, and leaves institutions vulnerable to the unchecked copying of their content.

Faced with this reality, numerous scenarios exist, but the common thread running through them all is that the future will not be black and white. It could be a conscious partnership where humans and machines share roles, with journalists crafting context and meaning while algorithms handle processing and technical support, resulting in improved quality and faster reporting.

Or it could be a drift toward repetitive, automated content, stripping journalism of its oversight and investigative functions and dissolving cultural diversity into a single, stereotypical mold. Or, and most dangerously, a sharp knowledge divide could emerge, creating an elite capable of producing profound knowledge, contrasted with a vast audience fed superficial, biased content, thus deepening societal rifts.

Amidst all these transformations, the human journalist remains the last line of defense for meaning and truth. An abundance of information does not equate to an abundance of knowledge; in fact, it can be quite the opposite. Real-world experience proves that stories that truly make a difference are still written by those who understand context, grasp the complexities of politics, society, and culture, and possess the courage to question before rushing to publish.

Artificial intelligence is not inherently an enemy, but it is an incredibly powerful tool. It can either be managed with sound governance, thereby enhancing media efficiency and opening new narrative horizons, or it can be left unchecked, eroding credibility and emptying knowledge of its meaning. Herein lies the convergence of the responsibilities of legislators, academics, and media institutions: to forge a new social contract that places humanity at its core, with technology serving rather than controlling.

Ultimately, the essence of journalism has not changed, as some might imagine; rather, its tools and spheres of operation have. The future is not built on a conflict between humans and machines, but on a smart partnership that recognizes the limitations of each. At this crossroads, it will be determined whether the media is on the cusp of a genuine digital renaissance, or an era of widespread noise and pre-packaged content, devoid of the spirit, depth, and credibility that have always given journalism its meaning and purpose.