AI cannot replace journalists' critical thinking skills

TPO - Choosing journalism as a career, aspiring to become journalists whose works have a social impact, students like Linh Giang and Minh Ngoc believe that in the current context of scientific and technological development, it is necessary to cultivate skills and technology to have the opportunity to work at reputable press agencies.

Passion alone is not enough

Do Linh Giang, a second-year student majoring in Television Journalism at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, shared that her entire family is a teacher, so she convinced her daughter to follow in her footsteps so that she would "not be exposed to the sun or the rain". However, Giang chose journalism to satisfy her passion for traveling.

Giang said that since she was a child, she sat watching TV and was attracted by the images of beautiful and confident MCs on TV. She cherished the dream of one day becoming an editor appearing on TV.

Needless to say, when she heard the news that she had been accepted to the Academy of Journalism and Communication, she jumped for joy. Every day, she rode her motorbike nearly 50 kilometers back and forth to attend school, but in the past two years, she has never been discouraged.

In particular, in her second year, Giang joined the television club, and together with her friends and senior students, she went to many places to produce her first news and reports. From here, a vast sky opened up for Giang with countless stories and attractive and interesting images. Each person and each life Giang met had their own unique colors and stories, which made her broaden her knowledge but also make her worry and think.

Until now, Giang is still impressed with the filming trip to Da Sy blacksmith village ( Hanoi ), meeting a family who is very passionate about the profession, enthusiastically talking about the passion, hardships, and joy that the profession brings.

Standing for hours filming, watching the blacksmith work, each spark flying out like a bunch of flowers, that night Giang pondered and named the report: "Forging flowers from fire".

“Although filming in the sun and rain was very hard, when the product was released and received praise from teachers and friends, I was filled with joy all week. Preparing to enter my third year as a journalism student, I am confident to say that I have chosen the right career,” Linh Giang confided.

Giang hopes to become a television reporter, to have the opportunity to venture out and travel to “broaden one’s horizons”. However, the female student also sees that in order to create attractive journalistic products, journalists must have in-depth knowledge of their field of expertise, and have a style and perspective that can touch the hearts of others.

Giang during a reality show.

According to the female student, in the context of technology development as it is today, to have the opportunity to express themselves, young people must prove their abilities and have many skills. She has started to explore technology applications such as: Premier, audition, photoshop, graphic design... to create and complete news and articles.

“Many people tend to be reluctant to watch, lazy to read, prefer to surf their phones with short films in a few seconds. Journalistic products need to be innovated to attract viewers on platforms such as: Tiktok, Facebook, YouTube... Therefore, young reporters need to have a deep understanding of technology, the Internet, social networks... as well as update trends to keep up with the trend”, Do Linh Giang, journalism student.

Giang equipped herself with skills so that when she graduated, she could immediately jump into the real working environment. While learning knowledge in the classroom, Giang registered for additional courses to equip her with speaking skills, self-study of field guidance, communication skills, etc.

“Because, I believe that every journalist must have a skillful way of talking, of raising issues with the person they are talking to so that they can open up, and tell interesting stories, even in those stories there are plots, favorite quotes to "grab" the headlines,” the female student shared.

Don't rely on AI

Nguyen Ha Minh Ngoc, a third-year student at the Institute of Journalism and Communication, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, confided that she is an active person, so when faced with a career opportunity, she did not hesitate to register for journalism.

Ngoc and two female students just won first prize in the school-level scientific research competition with the project "Application of artificial intelligence in learning and working activities of journalism students".

Minh Ngoc (far left) received the award for the scientific research competition on "Application of artificial intelligence in learning and working activities of journalism students".

Ngoc was introduced by the school's lecturers as one of the outstanding students who can create chatbots (virtual assistants) to build products. The video introducing tea products using AI technology by Ngoc and two female students made a strong impression on viewers with sharp, vivid images.

She boasts that she can now confidently make promotional videos, TVCs, illustrations, and even a weather forecast with a virtual MC.

Previously, the female student imagined that journalism was simply interviewing and writing articles, and the writer only needed to polish each sentence. However, when she got out into the real world, she realized that modern journalism is more difficult and challenging, requiring reporters to have more skills.

“Teachers always remind students: Technology is developing but we should not rely on AI, we need to develop the skills of a journalist, which are how to exploit information and the ability to debate issues,” Minh Ngoc, a student at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

AI development, supporting reporters in many tasks such as searching for information, supporting image and video editing, etc. is a great advantage for those working in the profession. However, the female student remembered the teacher's words: "Do not rely on AI, do not forget the skills of a journalist, which are how to exploit information, the ability to debate issues. When going out into real life, reporters will approach and have different perspectives that technology can hardly do."

To have a place to show off her skills after graduation, the female student shared that she is taking advantage of her time to learn a trade, equip herself with foreign languages, diplomatic skills, and self-study about AI, MC, etc.

Ngoc revealed that, outside of school hours, she often wanders around filming locations and takes thousands of photos to gain experience. Ngoc also plans to find an opportunity to study abroad for a master's degree after completing her undergraduate degree to gain a deeper understanding of the profession.

Ha Linh

Source: https://tienphong.vn/ai-khong-thay-the-duoc-ky-nang-phan-bien-cua-nha-bao-post1752761.tpo