The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism is becoming more prominent, but its growing influence may come with unintended consequences. A recent study from the University of Kansas reveals that AI involvement in news writing negatively impacts reader trust, even when human contributors are present.

Led by researchers Alyssa Appelman and Steve Bien-Aimé, the study explored how readers perceive news articles written with AI assistance. The team presented participants with articles containing different bylines—from "written by staff writer" to "written by artificial intelligence." The findings were clear: as AI's involvement in the article increased, readers' perceptions of the article's credibility decreased.

One of the key conclusions from the research is the crucial role transparency plays in maintaining reader trust. The study highlights that even when human journalists contribute to AI-assisted articles, the mere acknowledgment of AI involvement can erode credibility​. This is because many readers have misconceptions about AI's role, leading them to fill in gaps with their own assumptions​.

Appelman and Bien-Aimé found that the extent of human involvement mattered significantly to readers. Articles that were perceived as largely human-driven were seen as more trustworthy. Even when AI played a minimal role, readers tended to view the article skeptically unless it was clear how much human input there was.

The findings underline the importance of journalists and news outlets being clear about how AI is used in the news production process. Without clear disclosure, there’s a risk of readers assuming more AI involvement than there actually is, which can further damage trust. This is particularly relevant in an era where AI is increasingly being used for tasks like research, drafting, and editing.

In the end, the study points to the broader challenge of educating readers about AI’s role in journalism. By making AI's contribution transparent and clarifying how it fits into the editorial process, journalists can maintain credibility while leveraging technology to improve efficiency.