Readers take a critical view of artificial intelligence in the media
Published: Thursday, Sep 19th 2024, 11:10
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The Swiss population is very skeptical about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. This is shown by a new study. Not even one in four people surveyed would read texts that were generated entirely by AI.
Approval is somewhat better for texts that were created "with the support" of AI, i.e. when AI helps with translations, research or data analysis. As many as 53.6 percent would be willing to read such texts, according to a study by the fög (Forschungszentrum Öffentlichkeit und Gesellschaft) published on Thursday.
It is important to most respondents that the responsibility for content still lies with humans. "Many people probably think of text robots. They find this idea off-putting," study director Daniel Vogler is quoted as saying in a press release.
Little willingness to pay for AI texts
The study also shows that the Swiss do not have a great deal of trust in media companies when it comes to AI: Only 21.2 percent believe that the media they use the most handle it responsibly.
There is also some catching up to do in terms of declaration. Only 12.1 percent of respondents believe that the media provide sufficient information about how they use AI and which guidelines they follow.
AI also has a negative impact on readers' willingness to pay: Only 6.2 percent of respondents would pay for texts generated entirely by AI. And even for texts written with AI support, only one in four is prepared to put their money where their mouth is. The highest willingness to pay is still for AI-free content.
1287 people took part in the representative online survey.
©Keystone/SDA
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