Credit: Getty Images / charles taylor

The use of AI in news production is leading to growing concerns across global audiences, according to a report published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism on Monday (17 June).

The report, which surveyed almost 100,000 people across 47 countries, found that the majority of readers are concerned about the use of AI generated news content.

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Around 52% of US respondents and 63% of UK respondents said they would be uncomfortable with news produced mostly with AI, according to the survey. 

Nic Newman, senior research associate at the Reuters Institute and lead author of the Digital News Report, said it was surprising to see such a level of suspicion. 

“People broadly had fears about what might happen to content reliability and trust,” Newman said. 

The survey also found that 59% of respondents were worried about fake online news content, a rise of three percentage points from last year. 

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A large portion of the population is beginning to look for alternative sources away from mainstream media organisations to get their news, according to the survey.

Talking to over 5,600 TikTok users who said they use the app for news, Reuters Institute found that 57% were receiving their information from individual personalities, while 34% said they followed journalists.

Newman said the findings showed how important it was for newsrooms to build a direct relationship with their audiences, as well as “strategically using the platforms to connect with people who are trickier to reach, like younger audiences.”

“We see that these influencers have a bigger role on the platforms,” Newman added.