AI journalism

Published on Sep 29, 2025

Key Statistics 

  • ~37% of news organizations worldwide report using AI tools in news production (2023). Source: Reuters Institute, Digital News Report 2023.

  • ~25% of newsrooms use AI for automated reporting (financial, sports, or weather). Source: Reuters Institute, Digital News Report 2023.

  • ~30% of U.S. news organizations experiment with AI-driven personalization of content for readers. Source: Tow Center for Digital Journalism, Columbia University, AI in Newsrooms Case Study (2023).

Introduction
Artificial intelligence is transforming how newsrooms operate. From automated financial reports to personalized story recommendations, AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is actively deployed in a growing number of newsrooms globally. This article synthesizes primary research from the Reuters Institute and the Tow Center for Digital Journalism to present a factual overview of adoption, use cases, and challenges.

Headline Takeaways

  1. AI adoption is growing but uneven. Reuters Institute (2023) reports 37% of news organizations worldwide using AI in some capacity. Adoption is highest in Europe (45%) and North America (40%) and lower in Latin America and Africa (<25%).

  2. Automated reporting leads adoption. About 25% of organizations use AI to generate financial, sports, or weather stories. Smaller outlets report significant resource savings, allowing journalists to focus on investigative and long-form content.

  3. Personalization and recommendations. Tow Center case studies show ~30% of U.S. newsrooms experimenting with AI to personalize content feeds, improving reader engagement but raising ethical concerns regarding filter bubbles.

  4. AI supports but doesn’t replace human journalists. Case studies consistently show AI assisting in data analysis, pattern recognition, and workflow automation, but investigative work, ethics decisions, and editorial judgment remain human-driven.

Primary Evidence and Case Study Details

A. Reuters Institute — Digital News Report 2023

  • The Reuters Institute surveyed 1,400 news organizations globally, assessing AI adoption in reporting, content creation, and operational support.

  • Key data points:

    • 37% of organizations use AI in production.

    • 25% use AI for automated reporting.

    • 15% use AI for headline generation or content tagging.

  • Regional adoption varies, with Europe leading and Africa lagging. 

  • Link: https://www.reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023

B. Tow Center for Digital Journalism — AI in Newsrooms Case Study (2023)

  • This study conducted in-depth interviews with 50 newsrooms in the U.S., focusing on how AI is used and its challenges.

  • Key findings:

    • AI helps in content personalization (30% of organizations).

    • AI assists investigative reporting by identifying data trends and anomalies.

    • Newsrooms report challenges in bias mitigation, algorithm transparency, and newsroom training.

  • Link: https://towcenter.columbia.edu/research/ai-newsrooms-case-study

 

Implications for Journalists and Editors

  • Workflow optimization: AI can handle repetitive tasks, freeing journalists for investigative or contextual reporting.

  • Content personalization: Engages readers but requires editorial oversight to prevent echo chambers.

  • Ethical considerations: Transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation are critical when using AI for news production.

  • Skill development: Newsrooms investing in AI training for staff report higher efficiency gains and better adoption outcomes.

Limitations and Notes on Sources

  • Reuters Institute data reflect global trends but rely on self-reported adoption. Real-world implementation may vary.

  • Tow Center case studies focus on U.S. newsrooms; other markets may have different adoption patterns and regulatory environments.

  • Graphs are based on primary survey and interview data. Avoid extrapolating to individual outlets without verification.

Sources (primary)

 

Back to Blog