How can we better understand the current AI hype?

I highly recommend following Generative AI in the Newsroom by fellow researchers like Nick Diakopoulos and Nick Hagar. They do an excellent job of collecting the latest research on AI in journalism. This is an evidence-based perspective that helps cut through the hype and brings us back to the empirical realities of what’s actually happening. Unfortunately, in Germany, there are still too few initiatives bridging the research-practice gap in journalism, making this a priority in my work here at Hamburg Media School.

Do we take AI seriously enough?

We might overestimate the impact of AI on the production of journalistic content but underestimate its potential to reshape distribution. While many journalists still fear being replaced by AI, they actually bring distinct advantages to the table - tacit knowledge, rich contact networks, and the investigative skills to uncover what others want hidden. These are deeply human competencies that remain tough for AI to replicate.

I believe the real shift happens when AI applications transform content delivery and personalizes our news, shifting distribution much more than previous waves like news aggregators or social media. One crucial issue that’s barely discussed is what role news, journalism and trustworthy content in general will play in future generative AI applications.

What kind of future are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to a future where journalism still plays a vital role. I find it inspiring to see glimpses of that future every day - whether in small or significant ways - here at Hamburg Media School and in our Digital Journalism Master’s program, where our students experiment with new formats, digital products, and technological applications for tomorrow’s viable journalism.