Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms in Journalism: Transformations in Professional Culture and University Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.e.4

Keywords:

Digital journalism, artificial intelligence, algorithmic literacy, automation, professional culture, journalism education, digital ethics

Abstract

This article analyses how technological transformations driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms are changing the professional culture of journalism and the university education of its future professionals. The aim of the study is to identify the main points of tension between automation, the traditional values of journalism and the new skills required in digital environments. The research combines a theoretical-documentary review with a survey of 126 working journalists in Spain and Latin America, the results of which allow the academic debates to be contextualised with empirical evidence. Three key dimensions are addressed: automation in newsrooms, the evolution of the professional ethos and the need for algorithmic literacy in training programmes. The findings reveal a partial adoption of automated technologies, a widespread ethical concern and a demand for more training in critical AI skills. The study proposes integrating ethical frameworks, technical knowledge and critical thinking in journalism education to respond responsibly to the challenges of the new media ecosystem.

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Author Biographies

  • Mónica Niño Romero, Universidad de Huelva (UHU)

    PhD candidate in the Interuniversity Doctoral Program in Communication at the Universities of Málaga, Sevilla, Huelva, and Cádiz (specializing in Educommunication and Media Literacy). Holds a degree in Journalism, a university expert in Environmental Information, and a university expert in Community Management, Social Media, and Marketing. Experienced journalist in institutional and political communication, with a background in media, advertising, and digital communication agencies. Creator of the website comunicacionactiva.es. Communication and social media advisor, specialist in reputational coaching. Educator in media literacy. Member of the Assembly of Women Journalists of Seville, recipient of the 2013 Meridiana Award from the Andalusian Government for the Census of Women Experts. With the company GTO, received the 2016 Agripina Award for an Advertising Campaign.

  • Gabriela Borges, Universidad del Algarve (UALg)

    PhD and a Master’s degree in Communication and Semiotics from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Algarve (Portugal) and a full member of the Research Centre in Arts and Communication (CIAC). From 2012 to 2021, she was a professor at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil), where she coordinated the Graduate Program in Communication from 2016 to 2019.

    Her academic trajectory includes research stays at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Trinity College Dublin. She has also conducted postdoctoral research at CIAC at the University of Algarve. Her areas of expertise include communication, semiotics, media literacy, and the quality of audiovisual content in Ibero-American TV series.

    Borges coordinates the Alfamed Network in Brazil, the Research Group on Communication, Art, and Media Literacy (UFJF/CNPq), and the Observatory of Audiovisual Quality. She is also the editor of Lumina, the academic journal of the PPGCOM/UFJF. Her academic work focuses on the intersection of media, citizenship, and media education.

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Published

2025-08-22

Issue

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

Section

Thematic issue

How to Cite

Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms in Journalism: Transformations in Professional Culture and University Education. (2025). Revista De La Asociación Española De Investigación De La Comunicación, 12(Especial), raeic12e04. https://doi.org/10.24137/raeic.12.e.4