Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Bytes, bias, and bylines : examining AI and the Fourth Estate

McElroy, Orla LU (2023) MKVM13 20231
Media and Communication Studies
Department of Communication and Media
Abstract
This thesis examines the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies in news media organisations. Here a framework is proposed to analyse new AI and digital technologies and their introduction within the news media and journalism sphere. The framework consists of three stages: applications and implications, and actors (AAI). The first stage of applications considers the technology itself, including how it is used, defined, and perceived, as well as potential obstacles to its implementation within news organisations. The second stage explores actors involved in the introduction of AI technologies at an organisational level, examining the organisational and institutional structures and relationships that may guide and... (More)
This thesis examines the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies in news media organisations. Here a framework is proposed to analyse new AI and digital technologies and their introduction within the news media and journalism sphere. The framework consists of three stages: applications and implications, and actors (AAI). The first stage of applications considers the technology itself, including how it is used, defined, and perceived, as well as potential obstacles to its implementation within news organisations. The second stage explores actors involved in the introduction of AI technologies at an organisational level, examining the organisational and institutional structures and relationships that may guide and govern their approach to developing and deploying AI technologies. Finally, the implications stage examines the considerations that must be taken in developing AI, its effects on individual organisations, across the news media industry, and on wider society, and looks to developing regulation.
This framework is demonstrated via a comprehensive literature review and in analysis using data collected via qualitative expert interviews with seven key actors in AI from five eminent global media news organisations and one non-profit coalition. Interview participants included the Head of Technology Forecasting at the BBC; the Local News AI Program Manager at the Associated Press; an AI and ML engineer from SVT; both the CTO and another senior technology manager at RTÈ; the Head of Cloud, Analytics, and Insight at Al Jazeera; and the AI and Media Integrity Program Lead at Partnership for AI.
The findings of this work prove that AI is not a hypothetical future possibility for news organisations, but rather a technology currently being developed and deployed in newsrooms and organisations globally. The empirical data is intended to demonstrate the functions of a framework motivating new pathways for research that can, piece-by-piece, further our understanding of emerging artificial intelligence technologies and establish methods of academic study and insight. Ultimately this thesis contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of artificial intelligence and news media by illustrating the field’s current landscape, demonstrating the effectiveness and applicability of the AAI framework, and indicating the steps organisations can take in the facilitation of the responsible and efficient adoption and integration of AI. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
McElroy, Orla LU
supervisor
organization
course
MKVM13 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
artificial intelligence, AI, global news media, organisational change, news organisations, newsroom, technology, digital innovation
language
English
id
9114442
date added to LUP
2023-07-13 08:59:40
date last changed
2023-07-13 08:59:40
@misc{9114442,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies in news media organisations. Here a framework is proposed to analyse new AI and digital technologies and their introduction within the news media and journalism sphere. The framework consists of three stages: applications and implications, and actors (AAI). The first stage of applications considers the technology itself, including how it is used, defined, and perceived, as well as potential obstacles to its implementation within news organisations. The second stage explores actors involved in the introduction of AI technologies at an organisational level, examining the organisational and institutional structures and relationships that may guide and govern their approach to developing and deploying AI technologies. Finally, the implications stage examines the considerations that must be taken in developing AI, its effects on individual organisations, across the news media industry, and on wider society, and looks to developing regulation.
This framework is demonstrated via a comprehensive literature review and in analysis using data collected via qualitative expert interviews with seven key actors in AI from five eminent global media news organisations and one non-profit coalition. Interview participants included the Head of Technology Forecasting at the BBC; the Local News AI Program Manager at the Associated Press; an AI and ML engineer from SVT; both the CTO and another senior technology manager at RTÈ; the Head of Cloud, Analytics, and Insight at Al Jazeera; and the AI and Media Integrity Program Lead at Partnership for AI.
 The findings of this work prove that AI is not a hypothetical future possibility for news organisations, but rather a technology currently being developed and deployed in newsrooms and organisations globally. The empirical data is intended to demonstrate the functions of a framework motivating new pathways for research that can, piece-by-piece, further our understanding of emerging artificial intelligence technologies and establish methods of academic study and insight. Ultimately this thesis contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of artificial intelligence and news media by illustrating the field’s current landscape, demonstrating the effectiveness and applicability of the AAI framework, and indicating the steps organisations can take in the facilitation of the responsible and efficient adoption and integration of AI.}},
  author       = {{McElroy, Orla}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Bytes, bias, and bylines : examining AI and the Fourth Estate}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}