Reality Re-Imag(in)ed. Mapping Publics’ Perceptions and Evaluations of AI-Generated Images in News Contexts

The rapid advancement of generative AI technology has transformed the creation and dissemination of visual content in journalism, raising critical questions about its impact on news production, credibility, and audience trust. While AI-generated text, as well as professionals' views have been the subject of extensive research, the implications of AI-generated images in the news, as well as audience perspectives remain underexplored. This study explores audience experiences with AI-generated content, their evaluations of the use of AI-generated images in the news, as well as how they think media companies can and should cope with these developments without compromising audience trust. By conducting four focus groups, we find that while audiences come across relatively few instances of AI-generated images in the news, they have deep concerns about the use of AI technologies in creating and disseminating visual information. Largely, participants are worried about misinformation and, without any limits to the potential realities that AI can generate, audiences fear the loss of an objective, shared reality as told through journalism. By integrating audience perspectives into discussions on newsroom policies, this research provides valuable insights into how news organizations can navigate the responsible use of AI-generated images. Our findings can inform strategies for fostering transparency and maintaining trust, while also addressing the broader implications of generative AI on journalism. Ultimately, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on media credibility and the evolving role of AI in shaping the news landscape.