Newswork in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Zimbabwean Newsrooms

Abstract

The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) in newsrooms has stirred discussions about its implications. This paper critically examines the adoption of Gen-AI tools by newsrooms in Zimbabwe. Through interviews with 30 journalists, this study demonstrates pragmatic adoption despite organizational ambivalence and limited resources. Journalists across mainstream and digital media start-ups are using Gen-AI tools to support news production. A key finding was that young journalists were more likely to use Gen-AI than their older counterparts. Respondents lamented Gen-AI’s lack of conscience, Western-centric content, and limited accommodation of African languages. They recommended investment in small language models and contextual awareness.