Journalists are rethinking core skills as AI tools automate research and writing. A new study finds both risks of deskilling and opportunities for upskilling. The debate is intensifying in newsrooms worldwide.
As AI tools become more common in newsrooms, journalists are facing new questions about how these technologies are changing their work. A recent study from the National University of Singapore explores whether AI adoption is causing journalists to lose essential skills, while also highlighting areas where new abilities may be developing.
The research, published in Journalism Practice, involved interviews with 14 journalists from Singapore, a major hub for AI development in Asia. Participants represented a range of outlets, including print, broadcast, online, and wire services. Many expressed concern that generative AI could erode foundational research skills, as these tools can quickly generate background reports and conduct online searches. Some interviewees suggested that easy access to AI-generated information might reduce the motivation to track down primary sources or conduct expert interviews.
Several journalists worried that relying on AI for research, interview questions, or story drafts could weaken their ability to think independently. One participant described this as “dumbing down the profession.” However, others compared the current shift to earlier technological changes, such as the introduction of AI transcription tools and search engines. They argued that AI should be seen as a way to streamline research, not as a replacement for core journalistic practices.
The study also identified areas where journalists may need to strengthen their skills in response to AI. With AI tools sometimes producing hallucinated or biased content, the ability to discern fact from fiction is becoming more important. Journalists will need to sharpen their fact-checking and editing skills to ensure AI-generated copy is accurate and engaging. Some participants noted that AI struggles with storytelling, meaning human journalists remain essential for crafting compelling narratives.
As AI-generated text, audio, and video become more widespread, the study points to originality as a critical skill for journalists. Interviewees said that while AI can provide existing information, it cannot deliver true creativity or innovation-qualities that remain the domain of human reporters.
These findings echo broader industry debates about the impact of automation on editorial judgment and newsroom workflows. For example, United Daily News Group has developed new systems to embed structured editorial decision-making alongside AI-powered content production, as reported in coverage of scalable editorial judgment initiatives.
