Igor Vobič on AI and the Future of Journalism

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Igor Vobič, researcher and member of the AI4DH project team, was interviewed by Delo, Slovenia’s leading daily newspaper. In the interview, he reflected on the state of the media and journalism in Slovenia, the implications of the new media legislaion, and the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

Vobič emphasised that AI brings both risks and benefits to journalism. While it may streamline standardised tasks like summarising and translating media articles—potentially reducing newsroom staff—it could also contribute to an increase in clickbait and superficial reporting. However, he sees a vital role for AI in supporting in-depth, public interest journalism, provided that journalistic autonomy, integrity, and public accountability are preserved.

He also raised concerns about the lack of public oversight in AI development, noting that most advances are driven by large tech corporations without adequate societal control.

In closing, Vobič stressed that in an age marked by disinformation, propaganda, and artificial intelligence, journalism remains essential. It is “the best guarantee for reaching collective decisions about common goods,” shaping how we, as society communicate and deliberate.

Full article in Slovene: Read the article