Deploying AI to create productivity and quality content
The emergence and development of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a major revolution in the journalism industry, profoundly changing the way information is produced, distributed and consumed.
“I think journalists need to be among the most informed citizens about AI. We owe it to our readers,” said Nikita Roy, a member of the International Center for Journalism (ICFJ).
Roy cites a study conducted by Boston Consulting Group that found that people using OpenAI-developed GPT-4 produced 40% higher quality products across a wide range of fields.
In Vietnam, many press agencies have intelligently approached and strategically used artificial intelligence to increase efficiency and innovation for journalists and press agencies.
For example, at the Voice of Vietnam, after digitizing production stages from text drafting, editing to digital recording, digital audio recording, digital video recording, digital image editing, and digital broadcasting, this foreign press agency has formed the VOV News Portal to operate as a digital newsroom.
AI is present in many stages of the newsroom.
Journalist Dong Manh Hung - Head of the editorial secretariat of the Voice of Vietnam said that the VOV News Portal has actively supported the leaders of the station in directing content, assigning tasks and checking quality. Since the VOV News Portal was established, the Voice of Vietnam has reduced many meetings; reduced phone calls and information exchanges between editorial units and with domestic and foreign permanent agencies.
In particular, VOV News Portal connects to the program production system so reporters, editors, and technicians no longer have to use tapes, hard drives, or USBs to exchange and provide news between units and reporters. VOV News Portal not only optimizes work and saves time, money, and effort, but also makes the production of news, articles, and programs more convenient and of better quality.
"Especially for a multi-media unit like Voice of Vietnam, VOV News Portal has really been effective in the final stage: Multi-platform distribution. With finished products, editors can use them on traditional and digital platforms without encountering any difficulties or barriers. This makes Voice of Vietnam's information faster, more diverse and meets the diverse needs of the public," said journalist Dong Manh Hung.
VietnamPlus is a leading press agency in applying AI. According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nhat - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of VietnamPlus e-newspaper, one of VietnamPlus's specialties is Mega Story articles, which were previously handled by professional designers. But now, thanks to AI tools such as Canva, Infogram, Flourish (infographics production), reporters and editors can design themselves. In terms of work efficiency and aesthetics, they are not much different from those of professional designers.
MSc. Vu Duy Hung - Director of Nhan Dan Television shared that Nhan Dan Newspaper invests in modern technology, applies artificial intelligence, automated journalism as well as connects data with other press agencies and recruits and trains a team of talented technology personnel.
"On June 13, 2023, the Nhan Dan Electronic Convergence Newsroom was officially inaugurated to help maximize resources, produce information in an integrated manner, flexibly and appropriately for each platform and each group of readers, ensuring the multimedia and multi-platform nature of Nhan Dan Newspaper," said Mr. Hung.
Using AI to Strengthen Revenue Streams - A Promising New Direction
It’s no surprise that news organizations and newsrooms are increasingly tapping into the trend of personalized content. By using AI-based tools to analyze reader behavior, interests, and engagement patterns, news organizations can tailor their audience segments and deliver targeted content that resonates with users.
Furthermore, news organizations and newsrooms can also use data to optimize distribution channels and maximize reach. This increases engagement and loyalty to the newspaper, which can in turn drive increased reader revenue.
A McKinsey study found that 71% of readers now expect news organizations to provide personalized service, and 76% are disappointed when organizations don’t. Organizations that excel at personalization generate 40% more revenue.
Many newsrooms around the world have rapidly increased revenue from applying artificial intelligence to operations and production of press products.
Journalist Nguyen Hoang Nhat - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of VietnamPlus Online Newspaper gave the example of Stuff newspaper in New Zealand when using GenAI to publish articles as sponsored content on specialized fields such as automobiles, real estate, etc. Matt Headland, CEO of Stuff's commercial division, said that the newspaper saved 60 working hours for producing such articles last March. And more importantly, revenue increased thanks to increased output.
"In Vietnam, we are often allergic to the phrase "news business" even though in reality it is also a commodity. However, some press agencies have quickly adapted to the changes of digital media," said journalist Nguyen Hoang Nhat, citing the example of Vietnam Economic Magazine launching a "Premium" package for long-term subscribers, with a package to use a chatbot called Askonomy that can provide answers and advice related to economic issues. This chatbot even provides visual charts for users.
Some other newsrooms, although not yet having AI application products directly related to the business sector, also help improve efficiency as well as the quality of information.
Simple products such as converting text to speech (or vice versa), converting text to images and videos are becoming as popular as using AI to suggest and package news to serve each separate audience, in order to personalize content for users. High-quality press products of VnExpress or VietnamPlus are produced more frequently thanks to the newsroom optimizing the production process through AI.
"However, AI does not appear out of nowhere like the Buddha in a fairy tale. Nothing will change in each newsroom if there is no proactive investment in technology, human resources and training of new skills for reporters and editors. And importantly, innovative thinking from the leadership team," said Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nhat.
Hoa Giang
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/gia-tang-nguon-thu-moi-cho-co-quan-bao-chi-tu-ai-post310326.html
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