AI will continue to develop in the future while calling for various discussions. A particular focus is on the impact on the labor market, with growing fears that it will deprive people of many jobs. Until recently, it was said that only humans could do jobs that required creativity, but if AI develops at this pace, AI may even replace jobs that require creativity. So I asked the AI straight to the point.

“Will the development of AI eliminate the need for newspaper reporters?”

AI’s view: With the development of AI, tasks may be automated in some newspaper operations. For example, AI can collect data, extract and summarize the main points, to generate news stories. AI can also write articles using natural language processing technology.
However, the role of journalists is much more than simply passing on information. They gather information, check facts, and add their own perspectives and insights to present their readers. It also includes areas where AI is difficult, such as on-site research activities such as news gathering and interviews, and analysis using specialized knowledge.
AI is excellent at processing large amounts of data and organizing information, but it is still difficult to imitate human factors such as emotions, insight, and ethics. And because AI operates based on specific programming and data settings, it cannot completely replace the role of a newspaper reporter, which requires creativity and flexibility.
While AI developments may change the newspaper industry, journalists will still play an important role. AI and humans working together and playing complementary roles may provide richer news reporting.

My view: What I would like to pay attention to in terms of AI is ① “the point that AI is excellent in collecting data for generating news articles”, 2) “it is difficult for AI to imitate emotions, insight, ethics, etc. 3) “It is difficult for AI to conduct on-site research activities and analyzes that make use of specialized knowledge.”
Considering the above three points, it seems likely that in future newspapers, AI will be responsible for the release articles, and humans will be responsible for the planning articles and original serialization.
Taking small paper as an example, about 50% will be covered by AI. This means that half the number of newspaper reporters is sufficient. Personally, in the age of population onus, I regard this trend as good news. On the other hand, future newspaper reporters will have to write more emotionally expressive and insightful articles than ever before. In short, originality that appeals directly to individual readers is essential. On the other hand, a fairly high level of skill is required to put it into practice.
In any case, AI will not replace journalists, but their jobs will be focused on the core of their jobs. This is also true for other jobs. AI will take on some of the work, and the core of that work will continue to be done by humans.
As AI points out, if we can get this balance right, it will lead to a more prosperous society. Especially in a demographic onus society like Japan, establishing this balance is extremely important. (Kei Kitajima)