The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism, particularly for sensitive topics like politics, is met with opposition by news consumers, according to a recent report. The survey, conducted by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, revealed that only 23 percent of respondents in the US and 10 percent in the UK would feel comfortable with AI-produced news. Consumers expressed skepticism about the technology's application in areas such as politics and crime. Over half of the US respondents and 63 percent of the UK respondents indicated discomfort with AI-led news. A total of 18 percent answered that they were neither comfortable nor uncomfortable with it. When it came to specific use cases of AI, respondents were more accepting of its role in generating text-based content, illustrations, and stylised graphics. However, they strongly opposed the use of AI for creating realistic-looking photos and videos. The research report emphasized that audiences are more open to AI applications that operate behind the scenes and improve their news consumption experience by providing personalized and easily accessible information.

However, they are less receptive to AI's involvement in public-facing content, sensitive topics, and the creation of synthetic videos or images that appear real. The majority agreed that human involvement should always be included, and complete automation should be avoided. These findings coincide with news outlets globally turning to AI technologies amidst declining revenues and significant job cuts. Various media companies have implemented AI tools for diverse tasks, including research, transcribing interviews, and content creation. For instance, News Corp Australia's executive chair, Michael Miller, disclosed last year that the company was utilizing AI to produce around 3, 000 articles every week.