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This study examines the usage and perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) among young journalists in China and the United States, and explores how their professional identity influences these perspectives. Through a thematic analysis of 30 semi-structured interviews from China (n = 20) and the U.S. (n = 10), we investigated how young journalists engage with AI and Gen-AI in their daily news practices. The results indicate that Chinese young journalists in public media exhibit skepticism toward Gen-AI, those in private media show an inclusive attitude, while their American counterparts demonstrate a more integrative attitude. From the perspective of the sociology of professions, the study suggests that journalistic regulation characterized by cultural attributes tends to be more skeptical of technology, whereas regulation characterized by industrial attributes tends to be more open to technology. Journalists’ professional identity shapes their technological perceptions, while emerging technologies, in turn, also influence their professional identity.
Yongliang Liu (Wed,) studied this question.