Trusted journalism faces a growing threat from AI and is key to countering fake news, government report says

• Tech giants such as Google are increasingly integrating the latest technology
• MPs believe that trusted journalism will be ‘critical’ in minimising risk online
• READ MORE: Elon Musk warns AI poses ‘one of the biggest threats to humanity’ 

Journalists who play a vital role in debunking misinformation are facing a growing threat from AI, a government report warns.

Concerns have been raised that this will stop millions of internet users visiting trusted news websites where they would normally keep up to date.

By cutting off traffic, it will make it far harder for news publishers to afford to produce original and fact-checked articles.

The report said the threat of AI-generated content would not only ‘harm’ their business models, but in doing so ‘further degrade’ the public’s access to accurate information online. 

Tech giants such as Google are increasingly integrating the latest technology on to their platforms in order to generate their own content (Stock Image) 

New research has found the public’s biggest concern with AI technology was its likely effect in fuelling fake news online (Stock Image)

No 10 commissioned the report to look into the potential dangers of the technology ahead of Rishi Sunak’s AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park.

New research has found the public’s biggest concern with AI technology was its likely effect in fuelling fake news online.

Three-quarters of MPs believe that trusted journalism will be ‘critical’ in minimising this risk ahead of a general election next year, the report found. 

Nearly all editors – 97 per cent – said the risk to the public of AI-generated content was ‘greater than ever before’, according to the survey, carried out by the News Media Association (NMA) and Newsworks.

NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: ‘As this new technology supercharges bad actors’ ability to create and distribute mis- and disinformation, it is more critical than ever for the public to have full and unfettered access to trustworthy sources of information such as news media titles.’

Media minister Sir John Whittingdale said: ‘At a time when AI can rapidly fuel the spread of fake news, trusted journalism has never been more important.’

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