Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts

A special issue of Journalism and Media (ISSN 2673-5172).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 7371

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language, and Literature (MCCALL), Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
Interests: media; business model; technological innovation; artificial intelligence; journalism

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Guest Editor
Department of Mass Communication, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 900001, Nigeria
Interests: emerging media; journalism; communication and culture; media coverage and framing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era marked by rapid technological innovation and the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence (AI), the media assumes a crucial role in shaping public perception and understanding. This Special Issue aims to unravel the intricate interplay between media narratives, technological innovation, and the diverse impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on environmental, social, and economic landscapes. We invite contributions that explore the role of the media in shaping narratives around sustainability, that investigate the transformative influence of the media in driving technological advancements, and that scrutinize the varied impacts of AI on our world, encompassing both its positive and negative aspects. The overarching goal of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the media contributes to the discourse on sustainability, technological innovations, and the complex ramifications of AI, especially in an era where environmental, social, and corporate governance standards come into play. Our aim is to uncover insights that facilitate informed discussions and contribute to the cultivation of responsible media practices in the digital age. We seek to build upon and complement the existing literature by offering fresh perspectives on sustainable storytelling in media and exploring its evolution in response to technological shifts, particularly in the age of generative AI. We also provide a nuanced examination of the media’s role in the ever-evolving landscape of technological innovation, connecting contemporary developments to historical contexts. Lastly, this Special Issue delves deeper into the multifaceted impacts of AI on the environment, society, and the economy, thereby enhancing the existing body of knowledge on this intricate subject.

Dr. Mathias Felipe De-Lima-Santos
Dr. Adeola Abdulateef Elega
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • technological innovation
  • artificial intelligence
  • media
  • coverage
  • impacts
  • environment
  • society
  • economy
  • hype

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 544 KiB  
Article
Friends or Foes? Exploring the Framing of Artificial Intelligence Innovations in Africa-Focused Journalism
by Abdullateef Mohammed, Adeola Abdulateef Elega, Murtada Busair Ahmad and Felix Oloyede
Journal. Media 2024, 5(4), 1749-1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5040106 - 18 Nov 2024
Viewed by 618
Abstract
The rise and widespread use of generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, Claude, Synthesia, DALL-E, Gemini, Meta AI, and others, have raised fresh concerns in journalism practice. While the development represents a source of hope and optimism for some practitioners, including journalists and editors, [...] Read more.
The rise and widespread use of generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, Claude, Synthesia, DALL-E, Gemini, Meta AI, and others, have raised fresh concerns in journalism practice. While the development represents a source of hope and optimism for some practitioners, including journalists and editors, others express a cautious outlook given the possibilities of its misuse. By leveraging the Google News aggregator service, this research conducts a content and thematic analysis of Africa-focused journalistic articles that touch on the impacts of artificial intelligence technology in journalism practice. Findings indicate that, while the coverage is predominantly positive, the tone of the articles reflects a news industry cautiously navigating the integration of AI. Ethical concerns regarding AI use in journalism were frequently highlighted, which indicates significant apprehension on the part of the news outlets. A close assessment of views presented in a smaller portion of the reviewed articles revealed a sense of unease around the conversation of power in the hands of tech giants. The impact of AI on the financial stability of media outlets was framed as minimal at present, suggesting a neutral, wait-and-see position of news outlets. Our analysis of predominantly quoted sources in the articles revealed that industry professionals and technology experts emerge as the most vocal voices shaping the narrative around AI’s practical applications and technical capabilities in the continent. Full article
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15 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Contemporary Journalism Practice in Two African Countries
by Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey, Tigere Muringa, Samuel Danso and Siphumelele Zondi
Journal. Media 2024, 5(3), 846-860; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5030054 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5861
Abstract
Contemporary discussions about the application of artificial intelligence in newsrooms are commonplace because of the unique opportunities it presents for news media. This study investigated the intricate relationship between journalism and AI with the broad research question: How are journalists adopting AI technologies [...] Read more.
Contemporary discussions about the application of artificial intelligence in newsrooms are commonplace because of the unique opportunities it presents for news media. This study investigated the intricate relationship between journalism and AI with the broad research question: How are journalists adopting AI technologies and what challenges and opportunities do such technologies present to them? Eighteen journalists practising in Ghana and South Africa were interviewed through qualitative research techniques. Transcribed interview data were analysed thematically using the data analysis method proposed by Charmaz. The findings were that most newsrooms in the two countries have not formally incorporated AI tools into newsroom practices. However, journalists use AI tools at their discretion in a non-complex manner, such as transcription, research, generating story ideas, and fact-checking. Practical limitations to the formal integration of AI technology into newsroom operations include cost, language barrier, and aversion to change. Although participants recognised the advantages of employing AI for newsroom tasks, they were also concerned about the ethical quandaries of misinformation, improper attribution, and intellectual property. Participants also thought that fact-checking and mindfulness regarding ethical usage might increase ethical AI usage in newsrooms. This study adds an important perspective on AI’s role in African journalism, addressing the obstacles and ethics concerns. Full article
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