Responsible media technology and AI: challenges and research directions

TLDR

The media industry has been transformed by technological breakthroughs, especially AI, which offer opportunities for diverse content and combating disinformation but also pose risks of algorithmic bias and societal harm, highlighting a need for research on responsible media technology. This paper identifies the societal and industry challenges of modern media technology, maps research gaps across the production and dissemination chain, and calls for an interdisciplinary, industry–academia partnership to advance responsible media technology. The authors analyze the media production and dissemination pipeline to pinpoint gaps, propose technical solutions, and recommend design principles that support responsible editorial workflows.

Abstract

Abstract The last two decades have witnessed major disruptions to the traditional media industry as a result of technological breakthroughs. New opportunities and challenges continue to arise, most recently as a result of the rapid advance and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. On the one hand, the broad adoption of these technologies may introduce new opportunities for diversifying media offerings, fighting disinformation, and advancing data-driven journalism. On the other hand, techniques such as algorithmic content selection and user personalization can introduce risks and societal threats. The challenge of balancing these opportunities and benefits against their potential for negative impacts underscores the need for more research in responsible media technology. In this paper, we first describe the major challenges—both for societies and the media industry—that come with modern media technology. We then outline various places in the media production and dissemination chain, where research gaps exist, where better technical approaches are needed, and where technology must be designed in a way that can effectively support responsible editorial processes and principles. We argue that a comprehensive approach to research in responsible media technology, leveraging an interdisciplinary approach and a close cooperation between the media industry and academic institutions, is urgently needed.