Generative AI’s Impact on News Production in South African and Zimbabwean Newsrooms

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries, with the release of ChatGPT in 2022 sparking global discussions on its implications for news production. In Southern Africa, where AI adoption is growing, its application in newsrooms raises critical questions. Despite AI’s potential, its use in journalism remains contentious, with ethical concerns and fears of job losses dominating discourse. This chapter explores the impact of Generative AI on news production in South Africa and Zimbabwe, focusing on ethical guardrails, job security, production processes, and financial implications. Using technological appropriation and decolonial theories, the study critiques AI’s role in reinforcing colonial power structures in media. It advocates for inclusive AI governance to address biases and inequities. Methodologically, the study employs in-depth interviews with senior editors from leading newspapers to assess AI’s influence on newsrooms in the region. This study finds that Generative AI improves newsroom efficiency and news quality but still requires human expertise. While most editors do not see AI as a major job threat, ethical concerns remain, leading some newsrooms to adopt AI guidelines.