Austurglugginn hires foreign journalists with help from AI in Fáskrúðsfjörður

This summer, the editorial team of Austurglugginn successfully hired two foreign journalists, thanks to the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). The editor, Gunnar Gunnarsson, noted that the project exceeded his expectations.

The hired journalists, both residing in Fáskrúðsfjörður, have added diversity to the newsroom. Gunnar explained that their presence led to an increase in content from the area, which is seen as a positive development. He emphasized that the staff mix has changed, resulting in a more varied approach to topics covered by the paper.

The idea for leveraging AI emerged during Gunnar’s internship in Germany, where he wrote articles in Icelandic and English that were translated with AI assistance. He discovered that skilled journalists without proficiency in Icelandic reside in East Iceland, highlighting the need to bridge this gap.

Gunnar expressed confidence that AI will not soon replace journalists, as it still lacks the ability to conduct interviews effectively. However, he acknowledged that it can save journalists significant time. He stressed the importance of embracing the advantages presented by AI while being transparent about its potential risks.

As the media landscape evolves, Gunnar believes that adapting to these innovations is essential for the industry’s progress.