BATIKAN ERKOÇ
The guidelines issued by the Council emphasize that artificial intelligence can never replace editorial oversight and control, that journalists cannot be replaced by technical staff, and that media outlets using artificial intelligence should make this public.
The Council of Europe published the "Guidelines on the Responsible Application of Artificial Intelligence Systems in Journalism" adopted by the "Steering Committee on Media and Information Society" on November 30, 2023. The guidelines include basic principles for the use of artificial intelligence by media organizations in news production. The guide is part of the work towards an "artificial intelligence framework agreement" that has been in the making for some time in the Council.
The guidelines state that artificial intelligence in journalism is used in a variety of areas, from research to data analysis, from news production to communication with readers, and that this should be regulated by certain principles.
It defines a journalistic artificial intelligence system
The introduction section of the guidelines defines journalistic artificial intelligence systems, referring to the draft convention on artificial intelligence:
Journalistic artificial intelligence system means artificial intelligence system directly related to the business or practice of regularly producing information about contemporary affairs of public interest and importance, including the research and investigation tasks that underpin journalistic outputs.2 This can include, but is not limited to, large language models and generative AI when used for journalistic purposes and/or news organisations. Journalistic AI systems are not a single technology but a range of different, often interlinked, tools for automating specific tasks.
The use of AI in media organizations is an editorial decision that everyone should be involved in making
The guidelines emphasize that when integrating AI systems into news processes, media organizations should consider not only commercial or technological objectives, but also the fundamental purposes of the press. They emphasize that the use of AI should be considered an editorial decision, and that a person responsible for the use of AI should be designated, usually the editor-in-chief.
The process of deciding to use artificial intelligence should be participatory. By developing a participatory system that includes journalists, editors, developers, marketers, lawyers, advertisers and readers, it is emphasized that the decision should not be left to a single person or organization.
Artificial intelligence should never replace editorial oversight, technical staff should never replace journalists
When integrating artificial intelligence systems, it is emphasized that new employees should be recruited or existing employees should be trained to use these systems and that trained and experienced journalists working in media organizations should not be replaced by technical staff.
It is emphasized that in all processes where artificial intelligence is involved in news production, an editorial control mechanism should be operated in all processes to avoid false or biased outputs. The guide states that artificial intelligence can never replace editorial oversight and control systems.
Media outlets should disclose the use of artificial intelligence
Press organizations that use artificial intelligence should indicate to both the subjects of their news and their readers that they are using artificial intelligence. In addition, it is emphasized that they should explain which artificial intelligence systems are used, for what purposes, and the organizational measures related to this.
Specific requirements for artificial intelligence systems to be adopted
It is recommended that media outlets outsourcing artificial intelligence systems should acquire these systems through contracts that include certain conditions. The guide also outlines what should be included in these contracts. In particular, it is emphasized that AI systems should be regularly audited on issues such as data accessibility, data fairness and data quality. In particular, data privacy and data protection rules should be implemented. Taking measures to prevent discrimination in artificial intelligence systems is also among the recommendations.
The Council is preparing for artificial intelligence.
The Council of Europe has recently been working on a framework agreement on the use of artificial intelligence. On December 18th, the Council published the second reading of a draft convention on the use of artificial intelligence in various areas including the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights. If adopted, it would adopt a convention binding on all member states on the use of artificial intelligence, particularly in areas affecting human rights.
