top of page

Transforming the newsroom: 5 AI tools that can elevate your journalism

Writer's picture: Rick DunhamRick Dunham
Global Business Journalism, Tsinghua University
AI isn't just a buzzword. It's a transformative ally. (Image by Steve Johnson/Unsplash)

By VIKTORIIA MARKINA

Global Business Journalism reporter


In a world where the news cycle never sleeps, the tools of the trade must evolve. In our media ecosystem, artificial intelligence has disrupted the traditional information consumption model that operated from journalist to audience, usually through corporate hierarchies and editorial filters.


Modern journalists stand at the precipice of a new era of both great promise and grave uncertainty — one where artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword, but a transformative ally. “And that’s the way it is,” as renowned television anchor Walter Cronkite famously said.


Don't fret. Let’s explore five innovative ways AI can elevate your craft.


  1. AI multimedia editing tools


Whether we are talking about editing text, photos, or videos, AI can be a provide useful tools in the process of making high-quality content. Right now, you shouldn't spend hours creating a script for the entire video to generate subtitles — just press the specific button in your CapCut app, and voilà, AI will do all the work for you. The same strategy works for pretty much any part of our journalistic work —just find your magic button and enjoy the simplicity.


Warning: Just remember that AI is just a tool and it's not perfect. You have to complete a round of human editing and clean up any mistakes in AI-generated scripts, transcripts or subtitles.


Global Business Journalism, Tsinghua University
Viktoriia Markina

2. An audience-insight wizard


Understanding your audience can feel like grasping at smoke. But AI can analyze data from social media, engagement metrics, and even sentiment analysis to help you know exactly what resonates with your readers.


Picture crafting a story that speaks directly to the hearts and minds of your audience based on their preferences. Then open the “Insights” page in your Instagram app and feel free to dive into all your audience's preferences. This means no more guesswork; instead, you’re serving up content that sings to them, as if you can hear their voices echoing back.


  1. A story-idea generator


Struggling with writer's block? AI can inspire your creativity by suggesting story angles you may not even have thought about. Using natural language processing tools like Articoolo can analyze trending topics and help you brainstorm unique takes. Moreover, you can always just chat with AI, thinking of it as having a brainstorming partner who brings fresh perspectives, ensuring your stories are as vibrant and varied as the world around you.


  1. Narrative enhancement 


“A few moments later.”


Let me guess…


You read that sentence in SpongeBob's voice, right? It is not surprising. This phrase has long been one of the most widely used memes in videos of various formats and genres and really well fits the context. 


So imagine enhancing your storytelling with AI that suggests relevant audio clips, images, or even video snippets to complement your written content. Tools like Wibbitz (now part of Vimeo) can analyze your text and recommend visuals that elevate your piece. With AI as your creative collaborator, you can weave together a tapestry of sights and sounds, making your stories not just read but felt.


Transformative and engaging.


5. Ultimate AR experience


Picture this: You’re reporting on climate change, and instead of just writing about rising sea levels, you create an immersive Augmented Reality experience that lets your audience literally feel all the impact right in their living rooms. With AI tools like Zappar, you can layer interactive elements over real-world environments, bringing your stories to life in ways traditional media cannot. Let your audience experience the narrative as participants, not just passive readers.


In this evolving landscape, the integration of AI in journalism isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about enhancing creativity, accuracy, and connection. So gear up, embrace these tools, and let your storytelling soar to the new heights!


 
bottom of page