OPINION

On Sunday, September 24, 2023, the GMA Integrated News launched their two sportscasters at the opening of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99. The public was not pleased with the reason that these two sportscasters were AI generated. These two new sportscasters named “Maia and Marco” were the ones who initiated the opening of the said event.

Technology nowadays is advancing to the extent that different types of technology such as Artificial Intelligence or mostly known as AI is popularly utilized. But as everything is upgrading, we must still be human in the sense that we should not replace our professionals with computer-generated professionals. In my opinion, it is not right to use AI-generated sportscasters. I have three reasons for that; (1) many aspiring journalists are striving to study for this job, (2) there are many journalists who are still unemployed, (3) AI-generated journalist cannot replace the skills of a human journalist, and (4) the risks associated with its use.

What would you feel if you poured all your years into studying for your dream job and some AI that was created for a short time will replace you in that same job? I am sure that it will anger you. Many aspiring journalists are studying, doing internships, and are sacrificing everything just to be professional newscasters in the near future. Moreover, the unemployment rate in the Philippines rose and was reported to be at 4.8% from 4.3% rate from last year’s report. This result only shows that there are millions of Filipinos that are unemployed. So, if replacing sportscasters is acceptable, then this innovation may be a benchmark for other work areas to try and make use of AI, replacing humans in the workplace already. Unemployment rate would soar high and soon, the country would be problematic about feeding its whole citizenry. Additionally, AI do not have the critical thinking skills that humans have. In sportscasting, unexpected situations may arise, where decision-making is critical. In this case, the human journalist can arrive at sound decisions and make necessary adjustment to changes, while an AI-generated journalist, being a machine, cannot. Also, a workplace is said to be beautiful when workers establish and build harmonious relationships with one another. With AIs having no emotional intelligence, no emotions, will create animosity in the workplace since heart-to-heart talk is no longer possible. Having AIs as co-workers may lower the morale of the journalists because their presence implies their inability to do the tasks done by them.

I do understand that artificial intelligence is useful because of its efficiency, costeffectiveness, and time-saving. But we should be aware of the possible threats and consequences of utilizing it in journalism. These are machines and are vulnerable to security risks. A hacked AI journalist may be used to provide false information to wreak havoc and perpetuate chaos such as when it announces national security warnings or sensitive issues which may cause people to panic, stir hatred and insurgency.

To sum up, the use of AIs in journalism is not acceptable. It may be efficient, costeffective, and time-saver but it is also building ethical questions to people, may promote possible human job loss, and may also be the main source of misinformation. Artificial intelligence is always improving and in the near future, it may replace human jobs. We do not want that to happen. One of the reasons why we are striving hard to study is for us to hone our skills and use it in our respective dream jobs. We, the youth, are studying hard in-order to work later on and not to be replaced. I cannot imagine in the next years that AIs are the primary professionals of this generation. I still wanted to work in a world where humans are needed because of their intelligence, skills, and personal touch. I hope that those who are in power may address the gradual utilization of AI in different fields. Because if no one will do something about it, this world may soon become a world of AI. Artificial intelligence is useful to people but if artificial intelligence replaces people, then it is a big no for this world. We always innovate for people’s development, not to develop replacement for people.