In 2023, the Centre for Media Transition conducted a widescale investigation of the attitudes towards generative artificial intelligence (AI) in news production and steps being undertaken by Australian newsrooms to prepare for its possible deployment. 

The results indicate that newsrooms are experimenting cautiously with the technology. They see strong upside for news production, particularly around the absorption of menial tasks that have arisen with digitalisation, and an opportunity for trusted brands, conditional on maintaining robust editorial processes. 

However, editors are attuned to the significant downside of generative AI use if accuracy, authenticity and bias are not adequately dealt with. Transparency and human oversight are critical. Newsrooms are also concerned about the use of their news archives to train AI systems without recompense. 

Meanwhile, efforts at regulating AI are gathering pace around the world. These mostly focus on transparency and safety-testing obligations for AI systems and regulating high-risk uses. Promoting quality news and information will be essential in an increasingly polluted information environment.