Not only used to look up information, many young people have started to apply ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude AI... to support writing news and articles. Although there is still much debate, it is clear that the use of AI in journalism is a trend that is difficult to reverse. What is more important at this time is how brave future journalists need to be, how to have opinions so as not to be overshadowed by the technology era.
When AI becomes a " close friend"
Recently, artificial intelligence platforms have become a familiar tool for many students majoring in Journalism - Communication. Not only used for research, many students also use AI to suggest more about the title, commentary, way of asking interview questions, and even orient the content of the article to be consistent and machant.
Hoang Thuy Linh - a third-year student majoring in Electronic Newspaper, Institute of Journalism and Communication ( acclaim of Journalism and Communication) - shared some experiences with the ChatGPT tool to search and come up with ideas for press topics.
According to Linh, just enter the correct keyword, ChatGPT can provide a series of necessary information. However, Linh also realized that the ideas suggested by AI are general and lack uniqueness. Therefore, users need to proactively put into their "me" to highlight the work. For Linh, AI is a supporting tool to help perfect the ideas proposed by himself.
Tran Ngoc Diep - a second-year student majoring in Electronic Newspaper - said that AI is used for two purposes: First, it is used to build card edges and develop ideas from original content. Second, after completing the text, Diep used AI to research words, correct spelling errors, sentence markings and expressions.
Ngoc Diep shared more: AI effectively supports the implementation of ideas. I once did a topic about water puppetry and spent a lot of time coming up with a new cardboard, not overlapping with previous press works. After receiving help from AI tools, I had more suggestions for different directions, which is also one of my favorite journals.
Career courage in the AI wave
But not everything AI brings is reliable. The phenomenon of "vehicle" - the phenomenon of AI compiling false answers has been reflected in reality. In that context, many journalism students have realized that the role of journalists must be to verify, evaluate and provide accurate and objective information to readers.
Han Thi Nhat My - a third-year student majoring in Radio and Television - believes that courage and journalism thinking are the "unique qualities" of every journalist, something that AI cannot replace. This female student said: "For me, journalists in the AI era will not only convey information but also have to analyze and evaluate the problem in a profound, multidimensional way, even argue with what AI brings up".
Discussing this issue with Lao Dong reporter, MSc. Vu The Cuong - lecturer at the Academy of Journalism and Communication - said: "AI products responded to users cannot guarantee quality, and can be found anywhere. Therefore, coming up with ideas and verifying information needs to come from students' thinking ability. The ability to think and criticize is extremely important in the field of special journalism".
From a teaching perspective, MSc. Vu The Cuong recognizes that students' use of AI is an irreversible trend, but they need to be alert.
Students using AI to make newspapers is an inevitable trend, from prioritizing direct publishing, to prioritizing mobile, prioritizing social networks, the press sector is gradually increasing the priority to AI. Currently, Vietnamese news agencies do not have specific regulations on the rate of AI application in the production process of press works. However, students themselves should also be aware of using AI in some jobs and activities to support the working process, avoiding dependence on it.
In addition, some experts also commented that, in the face of the strong wave of AI use, the modern generation of journalism students - future authors - need to understand how to absorb the development of technology, so they should be smart and selective.
Dr. Nguyen Nga Huyen - Vice Chairman of the Department of Communication, School of Management and Business, Hanoi National University - expressed the view that each student needs to have a critical thinking and the ability to verify information sources. Students need to be clearly educated about the role of AI.
AI is a tool, not a replacement. Trainees should instruct students on how to ask smart questions for AI, how to verify information provided by AI and how to integrate creativity, emotions, and personal perspectives into the work. Students need to write roughly first, then use AI to support editing. The most important thing is to always ask yourself: Is this really my point of view?
According to Dr. Nguyen Nga Huyen, under the explosion of artificial intelligence, in the next 5 - 10 years, the role of journalists will change.
"The role of journalists in the next 5 - 10 years will certainly change. Journalists are no longer the first to report news, but the ones to verify, explain, connect and guide the public in the information board. Many technical operations will be automated, but core values, such as accuracy, social responsibility, and analytical capability, will remain unchanged. Therefore, each journalism student needs to prepare technological knowledge, data skills, and the ability to work on multiple platforms. But at the same time, it is necessary to nurture independent thinking, professional ethics and the ability to tell stories with heart - Dr. Nguyen Nga Huyen shared.
While AI has gradually become popular in the way of learning and working, the difference is no longer in who has the most advanced tools, but in how that person uses the tools. How to tell a more attractive and emotional story, to work responsibly.
Journalists, who will step into a new wave of media, need to understand that AI is not a shortcut to write an easy article but a lever for thinking and creativity. And to master that lever, nothing more important than the foundation of knowledge to be cultivated and a strong professional spirit.
