Journalists Grapple with AI's Growing Role in News

Unions push for disclosure policies as AI transforms newsrooms

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The news industry is rapidly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, raising questions about how much the technology should be used, what consumers should be told about it, and the impact on journalists' jobs. Unions are negotiating for contracts that address these issues, but news organizations are reluctant to make long-term commitments as the technology evolves quickly. Disclosure policies are also complicated, as AI is used throughout the news production process in ways that may not be obvious to readers.

Why it matters

The growing use of AI in journalism raises concerns about transparency, accuracy, and the future of news jobs. Unions are pushing for policies to ensure human involvement and protect workers, but news organizations are hesitant to make binding commitments as the technology rapidly advances. Navigating the appropriate use of AI in news is crucial for maintaining public trust.

The details

News organizations are increasingly using AI to streamline tasks like data analysis, transcription, and story generation. However, several high-profile errors have resulted from over-reliance on AI, leading to corrections and retractions. Unions, like the NewsGuild-USA, are negotiating for contract language that guarantees human involvement in the editorial process and prevents AI-driven job losses. News outlets are reluctant to make long-term promises, fearing the technology will quickly outpace any policies. Disclosure policies are also complex, as AI is used throughout the news production process in ways that may not be obvious to readers.

  • In 2023, the first union contracts addressing AI in journalism were negotiated.
  • Earlier this month, journalists at the independent outlet ProPublica walked picket lines, with the use of AI being a key sticking point in contract negotiations.

The players

ProPublica

An independent, nonprofit news organization known for its investigative reporting.

New York Guild

The union that represents many journalists in New York City, including those at ProPublica.

NewsGuild-USA

The union that represents more journalists than any other in the country, with 57 of its 283 contracts containing language related to artificial intelligence.

Trusting News

An organization that encourages news outlets to develop and make public their policies on AI use, estimating that less than half of U.S. outlets have done so.

Chris Quinn

The editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio, who has defended the use of AI to write stories with human editing.

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What they’re saying

“Humans are actually so much better at going out, finding the story, interviewing sources, bringing back the relevant pieces, asking the hard follow-up questions and putting that in a way that people can understand and see, whether it's a news story or a video. Humans are way better at doing that than AI ever will be.”

— Jon Schleuss, President of the NewsGuild-USA (WRAL)

“Speaking realistically, the newsroom of the future is going to look completely different than it does today. Which means people will lose jobs. There will be new jobs. So I think it's important that we are having these conversations right now because audiences do not want a newsroom completely taken over by AI.”

— Alex Mahadevan, Expert on AI and journalism at the Poynter Institute (WRAL)

What’s next

Two lawmakers in New York state have introduced legislation that would require clear disclaimers when artificial intelligence is used in published content, though its chances of passage are unclear.

The takeaway

The news industry's increasing reliance on AI technology has created a complex set of challenges around transparency, accuracy, and the future of journalism jobs. As unions push for policies to ensure human involvement and protect workers, news organizations must navigate the rapid evolution of AI and find the right balance between technological innovation and maintaining public trust.