What does this research mean for the field?

Generative AI in journalism is most effective as a tool for efficiency, background research, and templated work rather than as a creative substitute, necessitating educational approaches that preserve irreplaceable human traits like curiosity, emotion, cultural perspective, and originality. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the integration of generative AI in journalism education and its impact on human creativity and judgment.

May 28, 2026

Teaching Journalism in an AI Age: Human–Technology Fit, Creativity, and Judgment

Key Points

This research aims to explore the integration of generative AI in journalism education and its impact on human creativity and judgment.
Conducted 15 interviews with international scholars and practitioners.
Applied a human-computer interaction framework for analysis.
Developed a specific rubric to assess four irreplaceable characteristics.
AI can enhance efficiency and background research in journalism but cannot replace creativity.
The proposed rubric evaluates curiosity, emotion, cultural perspective, and originality as essential human traits.
Findings highlight the need for educational strategies that address the balance between AI and human skills.

Abstract

This study examines how journalism educators can integrate generative artificial intelligence (AI) into curricula while preserving the human capacities that define the craft. Drawing on 15 interviews with international scholars and practitioners, this research employs a human–computer interaction framework to analyze where AI effectively augments journalistic work and where it undermines creativity, ethics, and judgment. Findings suggest that AI is best positioned as a catalyst for efficiency, background research, and templated work, not as a creative substitute. The study proposes practical pedagogical tools, including a specific rubric that assesses four irreplaceable characteristics: curiosity, emotion, cultural perspective, and originality.

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay