Why You Shouldn't Miss 'The New Freelancer'
Den Haag, vrijdag, 9 mei 2025.
On Friday, Nieuwspoort in The Hague is organising the event ‘The New Freelancer’, specifically for freelance journalists and media workers. This event offers participants the chance to reflect on the contemporary challenges within their field, with a strong emphasis on the impact of artificial intelligence and financial sustainability. In addition to discussing the influence of AI, the event also focuses on practical workshops, such as negotiating rates and personal finance. With speakers like Frida Boeke and Laurens Vreekamp, participants gain insights into how AI can serve as an ally rather than a threat. This event is therefore an excellent opportunity to network, share knowledge, and develop new strategies in the rapidly changing media world.
The Role of AI in Journalism
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made an impressive advance within the journalism sector. AI is now widely used for a broad range of tasks, varying from automating routine reporting to analysing large quantities of data to generate deeper insights. An emerging use of AI is in automated news production, where algorithms can compile news articles based on real-time data, such as sports reports and financial updates [GPT]. This technology makes it possible to produce news quickly and efficiently, which was time-consuming and labour-intensive before AI.
Benefits of AI in News Production
One of the most prominent benefits of AI in journalism is the increased speed and accuracy with which news can be produced and disseminated. By automating routine tasks, journalists can focus on more complex storytelling and investigative journalism. Moreover, AI offers the possibility to enhance personalised news provision, allowing readers to receive personalised news based on their preferences and behaviours [GPT]. This results in a more engaging and personalised reading experience, which can promote customer satisfaction and a loyal readership.
Ethical Considerations and Potential Drawbacks
Nevertheless, there are also ethical and practical downsides associated with the use of AI in journalism. A major concern is the potential for AI to contribute to the spread of misinformation, especially when machine learning algorithms are improperly trained or data is misinterpreted [GPT]. Additionally, the increasing use of AI could lead to a reduction in human journalistic jobs, raising concerns about job security and the quality of coverage. There is also ongoing debate over the transparency and accountability of AI-generated content, particularly when it is sensitive or controversial.
The Way Forward
To fully harness the benefits of AI while mitigating potential downsides, responsible use of AI is essential. The event ‘The New Freelancer’ provides a platform to further discuss these issues. Experts such as Laurens Vreekamp emphasise that AI can act as an ally rather than a threat. Through mutual understanding and technological knowledge exchange, freelance journalists can develop strategies to integrate AI effectively into their work processes [1][2]. In this way, the sector can strive for a future where innovation goes hand in hand with integrity and reliability.