AI Divides in Newsrooms? How Journalists in the Low Countries Use and Perceive Generative AI

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is seen as a catalyst for a new era in journalism: AI-supported journalism. Its ability to automate and enhance traditional journalistic tasks offers potential for more efficient news reporting. This study aims to map the current use of genAI and assess its adoption potential among journalists. An online survey (N = 286) was conducted in Belgium and the Netherlands to explore how journalists use and perceive genAI for news reporting, along with their ethical considerations about responsible genAI use. The study also investigates potential “AI divides” among journalists. Findings show that while over half of the respondents have used genAI, it is primarily applied to support current (predominantly text-based) practices. This indicates that genAI is not yet transforming journalistic workflows. No regional divide was found between the three distinct yet similar small-market newsrooms of Flanders, Wallonia, and the Netherlands. However, individual factors, such as AI literacy, do influence genAI adoption among journalists. Despite its adoption, genAI is perceived as an assistant rather than a displacement, with journalists emphasising values like authenticity, objectivity, and human oversight. Ethical concerns persist, with journalists advocating clear ethical guidelines and shared responsibilities within the news ecosystem.