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🇧🇪 Belgium /Technology

VRT NWS Clarifies AI Use: Human Journalists Remain in Control

From VRT NWS · (27m ago) Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • VRT NWS clarifies its use of artificial intelligence, stating that human journalists still write all articles.
  • The news organization follows a code of conduct that permits AI tools for tasks like data analysis, translation, and improving text.
  • VRT NWS has an AI charter ensuring transparency and that AI never has the final say, with journalists remaining responsible for accuracy and impartiality.

In response to reader inquiries, VRT NWS has reaffirmed its commitment to journalistic integrity while embracing the potential of artificial intelligence. The newsroom clarifies that while AI tools are increasingly used to assist journalists, every article published on vrtnws.be is still written by human editors, ensuring the continued presence of human oversight and accountability.

Does VRT NWS use artificial intelligence to write articles?

— Reader inquiryA question posed by a reader, prompting VRT NWS to clarify its AI usage policy.

This approach is guided by the Code of the Council for Journalism, which permits the use of AI applications in newsgathering and production. VRT NWS has further formalized this with its own AI charter, outlining how these tools can aid journalists in tasks such as processing large datasets, translating content, refining writing style, and even suggesting headlines. Crucially, the charter emphasizes that AI serves as a support tool, never as a replacement for editorial judgment.

Articles are still written by journalists, real people.

— VRT NWSThe news organization's direct response to concerns about AI-generated content.

From a Belgian perspective, particularly within the Flemish media landscape, this transparent approach to AI is vital. The article highlights that half of journalists in Belgium and the Netherlands are already using AI tools, making VRT NWS's clear guidelines and public charter a benchmark for responsible implementation. The emphasis on journalists remaining 'at the beginning and the end of the news chain' and being 'liable for any errors' is a strong statement of journalistic responsibility. This contrasts with potential Western media narratives that might focus more on the technological advancement itself; here, the focus remains firmly on maintaining reader trust and upholding ethical standards in journalism, even as technology evolves.

AI can never have the final say.

— VRT NWS AI CharterA core principle of VRT NWS's AI policy, ensuring human editorial control.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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