AI presenting information: The rise of AI news anchors in journalism

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.e.2

Keywords:

innovation, journalism, generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, AI news anchor, news, transparency

Abstract

The use of generative AI in journalism has expanded to include the creation of text, images, and videos, prompting concerns about the role of journalists and the limitations of this technology. This exploratory study proposes mapping the use of AI news anchors in media outlets in different countries, based on a systematic literature review of scientific databases (Scopus and Web of Science) and the snowball technique. The analysis of the literature reflects the lack of a single concept and highlights the diversity of perspectives on the role and effects of the use of AI news anchor. Based on the 20 cases identified across 14 countries, the study analyses how AI news anchor fit into media innovation strategies, discussing the associated risks, such as transparency issues and potential loss of credibility. Ultimately, this article aims to promote a critical understanding of this innovation and determine whether AI news anchors represent a positive development for journalism or pose a threat to its ethical and professional principles.

ournalism has expanded to include the creation of text, images, and videos, prompting concerns about the role of journalists and the limitations of this technology. This exploratory study proposes mapping the use of AI news anchors in media outlets in different countries, based on a systematic literature review of scientific databases (Scopus and Web of Science) and the snowball technique. The analysis of the literature reflects the lack of a single concept and highlights the diversity of perspectives on the role and effects of the use of AI news anchor. Based on the 20 cases identified across 14 countries, the study analyses how AI news anchor fit into media innovation strategies, discussing the associated risks, such as transparency issues and potential loss of credibility. Ultimately, this article aims to promote a critical understanding of this innovation and determine whether AI news anchors represent a positive development for journalism or pose a threat to its ethical and professional principles.

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Author Biographies

  • João Canavilhas, University of Beira Interior (UBI)

    João Canavilhas is a full professor at the Universidade da Beira Interior (Covilhã, Portugal) and a researcher at LABCOM. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 scientific works, including books, book chapters, and papers in national and international publications. His research work focuses on various aspects of Communication Sciences and new technologies, particularly the links between journalism and the Internet, portable devices, or artificial intelligence. He is an invited researcher in international research groups and a project consultant/evaluator in Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and in the programme Creative Europe (Media).

  • Adriana Gonçalves, University of Beira Interior (UBI)

    In 2020 she completed her Master's degree in Journalism at the University of Beira Interior with 17 marks, with a dissertation on audience metrics in newsrooms. She has been studying for a PhD in Communication Sciences at the University of Beira Interior since 2021. She is a research fellow at LabCom, where she is developing her research on the use of AI in news production. In 2024 she published the book ‘Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms: Challenges and Opportunities for the Media’. She works in the field of Communication Sciences, with a special interest in the intersection of journalism and technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence. She has experience as an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Communication (IPL, Lisbon).

  • Bárbara Biolchi, University of Beira Interior (UBI)

    PhD student in Communication Sciences at the University of Beira Interior (UBI). She completed her Master's in Journalism at the same institution in 2024, with a final grade of 17. Her dissertation on transparency in the incorporation of artificial intelligence systems in journalism was approved with 18 marks. He has a Lato Senso Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Culture and Social Networks from the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS) and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). During her undergraduate studies, she was awarded a scientific initiation scholarship under the Student Research Scholarship Programme - BPA/PUCRS. Her research interests include the study of journalism and its links to technologies, especially artificial intelligence, transformations in working practices, ethical and regulatory challenges.

  • Gabriela Occhipinti, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (Unesp)

    She has a degree in Business Management and Innovation from the São Paulo State College of Technology (2021). She is currently studying Journalism at Universidade Estadual Paulista ‘Júlio de Mesquita Filho’ (Unesp) in Bauru.
    Between 2021 and 2022 she was a student on the Journalism course at the Cásper Líbero College in São Paulo. At this institution, she developed the scientific initiation: ‘Respectable public: A business model for the public and the journalist’, linked to the Cásper Interdisciplinary Research Centre, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Marli Dos Santos.
    In 2022, she worked as a trainee career, consumer and market reporter for the Money Times website. From 2023 to 2024, she was a trainee entertainment, career, fashion and beauty, and home and decoration reporter at Ana Maria Digital Magazine.
    In 2023, she won the third edition of the José Luiz Egydio Setúbal Foundation Communication Award, in the Audio/Student category with the podcast ‘Uma Dose de Informação’. She is currently a researcher at the Laboratory for Studies in Communication, Technology, Education and Creativity (Lecotec), at the Faculty of Architecture, Arts, Communication and Design (FAAC), at Unesp Bauru, where she is carrying out the research ‘Journalism of the future: possibilities of business models driven by Artificial Intelligence’ with a scientific initiation grant from the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP). She is also a research intern, with the support of a BEPE/FAPESP, at the LabCom - Communication and Arts Research Group at the University of Beira Interior (UBI) in Covilhã, Portugal. She is a PhD student in Communication Sciences at the University of Beira Interior (UBI). She completed her Master's degree in Journalism at the same institution in 2024, with a final mark of 17. Her dissertation on transparency in the incorporation of artificial intelligence systems in journalism was approved with 18 marks. He has a Lato Senso Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Culture and Social Networks from the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS) and a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). During her undergraduate studies, she was awarded a scientific initiation scholarship under the Student Research Scholarship Programme - BPA/PUCRS. Her research interests include the study of journalism and its links to technologies, especially artificial intelligence, transformations in working practices, ethical challenges and the regulation of journalism.

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Published

2025-07-31

Issue

Vol. 12 No. Especial (2025): Intelligent Digital Journalism

Section

Thematic issue

How to Cite

AI presenting information: The rise of AI news anchors in journalism. (2025). Revista De La Asociación Española De Investigación De La Comunicación, 12(Especial), raeic12e02. https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.e.2