Readers take a critical view of artificial intelligence in the media
The Swiss public is very skeptical about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism, according to a new study. Not even one in four people surveyed would read articles generated entirely by AI.
The approval rating looks slightly better for texts that were created "with the support" of AI, i.e. when AI helps with translations, research or data analysis. As many as 53.6 percent would be willing to read such texts, as shown by a study of the Research Center for the Public Sphere and Society Fög at the University of Zurich. The study was published on Thursday.
It is important to most respondents that the responsibility for content still lies with humans. "Many people probably think of text robots. They find this idea off-putting," study director Daniel Vogler is quoted as saying in a press release.
Little willingness to pay for AI texts
The study also shows that Swiss people do not have a great deal of trust in media companies when it comes to AI: Only 21.2 percent believe that the media they use the most handle it responsibly.
There is also some catching up to do in terms of declaration. Only 12.1 percent of respondents believe that the media provide sufficient information about how they use AI and which guidelines they follow.
AI also has a negative impact on readers' willingness to pay: Only 6.2 percent of respondents would pay for texts generated entirely by AI. And even for texts written with AI support, only one in four is willing to put their money where their mouth is. The highest willingness to pay is still for AI-free content.
1287 people took part in the representative online survey. (SDA/swi)
