A Journalist's Guide To AI

ProfYumi

A Journalist’s Guide to AI helps journalists, PR pros and media creators use AI without losing their voice. Hosted by professor and coach Yumi Wilson, each episode offers practical tips, real prompts, and ethical strategies using tools like ChatGPT, Otter.ai, and Perplexity. Learn how to write smarter, research faster, and stay human in a tech-driven world. Produced in partnership with Saspod. Subscribe for weekly insights that keep you sharp, creative, and ahead of the curve.

  1. What is Artificial Super Intelligence and Will it Replace Us?

    15 SEPT

    What is Artificial Super Intelligence and Will it Replace Us?

    In this episode of "A Journalist’s Guide to AI," host Yumi Wilson dives into the evolution of artificial intelligence and what the future could look like as we move toward Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). Yumi breaks down the three main stages of AI: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), which powers today’s AI tools like ChatGPT and is excellent at specific tasks; Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), theorized to match human flexibility and cross-domain reasoning but not yet achieved; and finally, ASI, a level where intelligence surpasses human capabilities in every way. Yumi explains the technologies and advances needed to reach AGI and ASI, like multisensory AI, advanced neural networks, neuromorphic computing, and evolutionary algorithms. She discusses both the potential benefits, such as problem-solving, creativity enhancement, and reduced bias, and serious risks, including loss of control, economic disruption, and existential threats. Throughout the episode, Yumi keeps journalism and media impact front and center, pondering what fully autonomous newsrooms and predictive journalism might mean for the profession. She stresses the importance of human responsibility, ethics, and staying informed as AI develops. Yumi encourages listeners to get involved, ask questions, and consider both the promise and perils of the AI-powered future. (00:57) - What is Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI)? (03:57) - Shoutout to SaaSpod (Podcast Production Partner) (05:08) - Transition from ANI to AGI and ASI (05:54) - What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? (08:05) - What is Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI)? (11:43) - How Could We Get to ASI? (19:00) - Benefits and Risks of ASI (23:02) - Ethical Dilemmas and Considerations (24:53) - Futurist Predictions (Ray Kurzweil & Others) (27:09) - Current Developments & Global Competition in AI (29:02) - Implications for Journalism & Media (30:49) - Who Will Control ASI? Accessibility and Risks (31:17) - Final Thoughts and Call to Engagement Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    34 min
  2. The Future of AI in Journalism with Esther Paniagua

    14 AUG

    The Future of AI in Journalism with Esther Paniagua

    In this episode of A Journalist’s Guide to AI we have Esther Paniagua an award winning independent journalist and author specialised in science, technology and cybersecurity. Esther has received numerous accolades for her work, including multiple journalism awards. She has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in Spain and named one of Forbes’ Top 100 Most Creative People in Business. She also teaches “AI Journalism” at various universities. Esther shares her journey from early tech adoption to becoming an expert in AI and journalism, discussing how AI is rapidly transforming the media landscape. They delve into the challenges faced by small newsrooms in adopting AI, the growing dominance of synthetic and AI-generated content (with a stark prediction that 90% of online content could be AI-generated by 2026), and the ongoing shifts in business models as platforms like Google and generative AI tools impact media revenue. Esther emphasizes the importance of regulation, sustainable funding, and responsible technology development to preserve quality journalism in the face of these changes. She also highlights environmental concerns related to data centers and AI’s carbon footprint, advocating for informed consumer choices and public protest as forms of accountability. Towards the end of the episode, Yumi and Esther discuss practical tips for choosing more privacy-conscious and eco-friendly digital tools. Esther also noted that the actual estimation of how much money Google owes to US publishers annually for use of their content on its platform is US$10–12 billion. Researchers also estimate (using a conservative assumption) that Facebook owes US$1.9 billion to publishers annually.  Source: IPD Columbia 00:00 - Funding Challenges for Small Newsrooms & Rise of AI Content 00:53 - Introducing Esther Paniagua 01:48 - Esther’s Journey into Journalism & Technology 04:10 - Specializing in Science and Technology Journalism 05:19 - Reporting on AI: Early Days and IBM Watson 07:07 - First AI Applications in Journalism 08:22 - Did We See AI’s Influence on Journalism Coming? 09:56 - How Google Changed the Media Landscape 12:01 - How Search and AI Are Shaping News Consumption 13:25 - AI Platforms Paying for News Content: Worth It? 14:57 - Why Pay for News Anymore? Is It Inevitable? 15:56 - The Role of Regulation in AI & Journalism 19:39 - Saving Journalism: Funding and the Need for Quality News 22:29 - Where Does the Money Come From? The Broken Business Model 27:15 - Covering Technology’s Social & Environmental Impact 32:39 - The Environmental Impact of AI: Energy and Water Use 35:35 - Are There Greener AI Solutions? Deep SEQ Example 40:16 - Regulation: The US vs. EU Approach to AI Oversight 42:28 - What If There’s No AI Regulation? 43:38 - Consumer Power: What You Can Do 46:04 - Practical Tips: Privacy-Friendly Tech Alternatives 51:25 - Social Media, Network Effects, and Consumer Choice 52:06 - Where to Follow Esther’s Work 54:03 - Wrap-Up, Final Thoughts, and Thank You Follow Esther:  https://estherpaniagua.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherpaniagua/  https://www.instagram.com/e_paniagua  Esther's book: https://estherpaniagua.com/en/books/  Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    57 min
  3. Deep Seek vs Chat GPT: Exploring the New Frontier in AI Language Models

    31 JUL

    Deep Seek vs Chat GPT: Exploring the New Frontier in AI Language Models

    In this episode of "A Journalist's Guide To AI," host Yumi Wilson dives into a head-to-head comparison between Deep Seek—the new open-source AI model from China—and ChatGPT. Yumi breaks down the hype surrounding Deep Seek, discussing its rapid rise, open-source nature, and the impact it's had on tech stocks and online conversations. To get a clearer picture of how these two AIs stack up, Yumi runs three real-world tests: summarising the day’s top news, crafting an engaging headline, and writing a press release. While Deep Seek impresses with its innovation and price, it stumbles on timely, accurate information, at times serving up outdated stories. ChatGPT, on the other hand, continues to shine with up-to-date facts and structured writing, but is not without its own hiccups, like producing an inaccurate headline. Yumi emphasises the importance of fact-checking all AI-generated content and encourages listeners to try the prompts themselves. The episode concludes with practical takeaways on the strengths and weaknesses of each model and a reminder that, as always, original human thinking remains essential. (00:00) – Introduction & What is Deep Seek? (01:57) – Why Journalists Should Care: Comparing Deep Seek & ChatGPT (02:51) – Setting Up the Head-to-Head Test: CTC Model Explained (04:10) – Round 1: News Summaries Showdown (07:28) – Round 2: Best Headline Battle (08:30) – Round 3: Press Release Challenge (11:37) – Final Verdict: Which AI Wins? (12:25) – Key Takeaways & Best Practices (13:29) – Acknowledgements & Closing Follow Yumi: https://yumiwilson.me  Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    14 min
  4. How Descript Can Help PR, Marketing and Media Pros: Insider Insights from Scientific American

    04/12/2024

    How Descript Can Help PR, Marketing and Media Pros: Insider Insights from Scientific American

    In this Episode ... Host Yumi Wilson interviews Kelso Harper, a multimedia producer at Scientific American, to discuss the transformative impact of AI tools in modern journalism. Kelso shares insights from their experience leading video strategies on platforms like TikTok and using tools like Descript. They explore how to balance AI innovation with journalistic integrity and provide practical applications for AI in multimedia storytelling. Whether you're interested in emerging AI trends, seeking tools to boost productivity, or navigating ethical challenges in journalism, this episode offers valuable takeaways. What You’ll Learn:AI Tools in Action: How Scientific American uses Descript to streamline video and podcast production, including transcription, text-based editing, and captioning.Ethical AI Integration: Practical advice on maintaining journalistic integrity while embracing AI-powered tools.Emerging AI Trends: Kelso's thoughts on generative video, collaboration tools like SquadCast, and future opportunities for AI in science communication.Key Takeaways:Descript for Journalists: Simplify video and audio editing by editing text-based transcripts, creating captions, and generating social media clips.AI for Accessibility: Use AI to handle time-intensive tasks like creating alt text, summarizing large datasets, or generating ideas.Ethics Matter: Transparency and critical evaluation of AI-generated content are essential for preserving credibility in journalism.Remote Collaboration: Tools like Descript and SquadCast enable seamless collaboration across teams, whether local or remote.Quotes from the Episode:"AI isn't here to replace creativity—it’s here to amplify it.""The real question is, how do we use these tools responsibly while keeping our values intact?""Just because technology exists doesn’t mean we have to use it for everything."Resources Mentioned: Descript: AI-powered audio and video editing software. SquadCast: A platform for high-quality remote recording integrated with Descript. Kelso Harper’s Website: Explore their work and projects. Scientific American: Explore their TikTok channel for innovative storytelling. Riverside .fm: Another tool for podcast recording and editing. Opus Clip: AI-powered social media clip generator.Connect with Us:Website: YumiWilson .me Social Media: Follow Yumi on LinkedIn for updates.Support the Show: Join our Patreon to help sustain this podcast and gain exclusive access to bonus content.Call to Action:Did you enjoy this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review! Your support helps us connect with more journalists and communicators navigating the world of AI. Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    45 min
  5. 27/11/2024

    Reinventing News Connections with AI: 5 Tips Every Journalist Needs

    In today's episode ... We’re joined by Adam Harder, co-founder of the innovative platform InPress. InPress is changing how journalists and audiences connect through facts, not filtered algorithms. InPress uses AI to create genuine, story-driven social connections based on factual journalism, aiming to build community and media literacy in the digital age. This episode is packed with insights for journalists seeking ethical ways to leverage AI, build engagement, and avoid echo chambers. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or hesitant about AI, Adam’s tips and real-world applications offer practical, no-nonsense guidance on using AI to stay relevant without losing your integrity. Tune in to Discover These Top 5 Actionable Takeaways: Use AI to Foster Genuine Connections Through News Discover how InPress uses AI to match users based on news preferences instead of personal data. This unique approach turns news into a community builder, giving journalists a new way to connect with their audience through meaningful stories, not echo chambers.Leverage Data for Media Literacy and Engagement Learn how AI-driven platforms like InPress can analyze user emotions and reactions to news, providing journalists with feedback on audience interests without bias. This data can help journalists create content that resonates while promoting media literacy.Balance the News Feed for a Broader Perspective Adam explains InPress’s strategy of presenting a balanced feed, like a digital newspaper, to prevent echo chambers. This approach allows audiences to see diverse perspectives, offering journalists a blueprint for presenting fair, fact-driven news in a fragmented media landscape.Integrate AI without a Tech Background Adam’s journey shows that you don’t need to be a developer to innovate with AI. He shares resources like Y Combinator’s co-founder matching tool and his process for using design tools like Figma to bring his vision to life—offering hope and a path forward for non-tech-savvy journalists.Try These AI Tools to Boost Productivity From ChatGPT to Claude, Adam shares simple, powerful AI tools that any journalist can start using to save time, brainstorm ideas, and streamline workflows—no coding required. This episode covers harnessing these tools to stay efficient and adaptable in a rapidly changing industry. Why Listen?If you’re a journalist or media pro looking for ways to stay relevant in the digital age, this episode is your guide to using AI ethically and effectively.  Here’s the list with hyperlinks for each resource Adam mentioned: Ad Fontes Media's Media Bias Chart: A tool to assess the reliability and bias of various news sources. Y Combinator's Co-Founder Matching Platform: A service to connect with potential co-founders for your projects. Poynter's Guide on Media Bias Charts: An insightful article discussing the reliability and use of media bias charts. Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    46 min
  6. 20/11/2024

    5 Essential Tips from Neulight’s Founders on Using AI Responsibly in Education

    In this episode… Jose Moreno and Andrew Lawrence, co-founders of Neulight, explore how AI can drive meaningful change in education, touching on themes that resonate deeply with journalism and media.  Tune in to hear insights on: Data Privacy & Ethics: Understand how Neulight prioritizes student privacy and ethical AI in their product, Intelliteer, respecting frameworks like HIPAA and FERPA. Efficiency Without Compromise: Learn how Neulight leverages general knowledge models to make valuable recommendations with minimal data, avoiding the extensive data requirements of traditional tech solutions. Addressing Bias and Representation: Jose and Andrew discuss the challenges of AI bias, sharing examples like how some AI-generated images of Vice President Kamala Harris fail to represent her accurately due to limited training data. They explore how ensuring diverse representation within AI models helps counter these biases. AI’s Potential in Education and Beyond: Jose and Andrew discuss how their method of personalized student support could inspire solutions for journalism and other industries. Moving from Big Tech to Startups: Gain insight into the mindset shift required to leave stable roles at companies like Microsoft and Netflix to tackle new challenges in the AI startup world. Best Quotes "I have to have this irrational optimism…there’s a lot of self-doubt that comes with building something brand new, but you have to believe it’s going to work." — Jose Moreno "Without even providing data, you can start talking with our assistants and have conversations about how to implement MTSS at your school." — Andrew Lawrence "The secret for a lot of big tech companies is that they personalize by collecting tons of data, but we’re bringing a general knowledge model to make high-value recommendations with far less data." — Jose Moreno "Don't be scared of AI. I think change is always scary, but the way that I see it, it makes me really hopeful because AI is allowing us to be more efficient…with increased efficiency, it frees you up a little bit more for creativity." – Andrew Lawrence Resources Below are resources and tools mentioned throughout the episode, with links to explore further: Neulight - Explore Neulight’s educational platform, Intelliteer, and learn more about their mission. Intelliteer - Access Intelliteer, Neulight's platform for personalized student support. FERPA Compliance - Learn about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations that safeguard student privacy. HIPAA Compliance: Understand the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its importance to student and patient privacy. ChatGPT - AI language model mentioned as an example of personalized, adaptable AI for various applications. These show notes were made possible with the support of ChatGPT, Otter.ai, and Monica AI. Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    42 min
  7. 13/11/2024

    Branislava Lovre on the Ethics of AI in Journalism

    Show Notes: AI and Journalism with Branislava Lovre Host: Yumi WilsonGuest: Branislava Lovre, journalist, AI ethicist, and co-founder of ImpactfulEpisode Summary:In this episode of AI and Journalism, I talk to Branislava Lovre, a seasoned journalist and AI ethicist with over two decades of experience. We explore the ethical implications of AI in journalism, focusing on accountability, transparency, and bias. Branislava shares her journey in founding Impactful and her mission to make AI accessible while maintaining journalistic integrity. Together, we discuss how AI is changing newsrooms and what we need to do to ensure AI is used ethically and responsibly in the future of journalism. 3 Highlights: Accountability in AI-generated content: Branislava highlights the importance of transparency in AI-generated news stories and stresses the need for clear policies and ethical guidelines to ensure accountability.Bias in AI Algorithms: We explore how AI can perpetuate biases in data and discuss real-world examples of bias affecting news reporting. We also offer tips on how journalists can mitigate these issues.The Future of Newsrooms: Branislava paints a picture of future newsrooms, showing how AI can enhance efficiency but must be balanced with human judgment, ethics, and transparency 3 Best Quotes: "If news outlets use AI to generate content, they must disclose that to their audience. It's a matter of trust and credibility." — Branislava Lovre"Just because we can use AI doesn’t mean we should. We must ask ourselves if it’s improving journalism or undermining trust." — Branislava Lovre"The core mission of journalism won’t change, but AI will revolutionize how we achieve it, making news more interactive and accessible." — Branislava Lovre Great Resources Mentioned: Impactful — Branislava’s media startup focusing on AI ethics and transparency. AI in Newsrooms — A guide on how AI is currently being used in journalism. SPJ Code of Ethics — The Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics, a great resource for journalists. How to Reach Branislava: LinkedIn: Branislava Lovre Impactful Website: impactful .comHow to Reach Me (Yumi Wilson): Website: yumiwilson .me LinkedIn: Yumi Wilson Support My Work: Love the podcast? Support me on Patreon to help fund more episodes! Check out exclusive content and early access perks: Patreon .com /YumiWilson Call to Action: If you enjoyed the episode, please rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes, and follow me on LinkedIn for more updates! Stay tuned for more insights on AI in journalism, and make sure to visit yumiwilson .me to subscribe to my newsletter for tips, stories, and updates! Follow Yumi:  https://yumiwilson.me   https://www.linkedin.com/in/yumiwilson/  Sponsored By: Saspod https://saspod.com/register?refcode=ProfYumiQcLU

    53 min

About

A Journalist’s Guide to AI helps journalists, PR pros and media creators use AI without losing their voice. Hosted by professor and coach Yumi Wilson, each episode offers practical tips, real prompts, and ethical strategies using tools like ChatGPT, Otter.ai, and Perplexity. Learn how to write smarter, research faster, and stay human in a tech-driven world. Produced in partnership with Saspod. Subscribe for weekly insights that keep you sharp, creative, and ahead of the curve.