How news audiences feel about AI use by newsrooms: What a new LMA–Trusting News survey reveals

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in journalism, one question matters most: what do audiences actually think about newsrooms using AI?In this episode of Keep It Local, host Ryan Welton is joined by John M. Humenik, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer for Local Media Association, and Lynn Walsh, Assistant Director of Trusting News, to unpack findings from a new national survey on AI and journalism.The survey — conducted with more than 1,400 local news consumers — offers rare, audience-driven insight into trust, transparency, and the role humans must play when AI is involved in news production.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why nearly 99% of respondents say humans must review AI-assisted journalismWhich AI uses audiences are most comfortable with — and which raise red flagsHow transparency and disclosure affect trust in AI-assisted newsWhy AI familiarity among audiences leads to greater acceptanceHow newsrooms can use audience feedback to shape ethical AI policiesWhy AI literacy may be a trust-building opportunity, not a threatHumenik and Walsh also discuss how newsrooms can responsibly experiment with AI, communicate openly with their communities, and use audience expectations as guardrails — not obstacles — as technology continues to evolve.The full survey report is available at localmedia.org and is designed to be used inside newsrooms as a discussion and decision-making tool.About Keep It LocalKeep It Local is a podcast from Local Media Association focused on sustainability, innovation, and the future of local journalism.If you enjoyed this episode:Subscribe on your favorite podcast platformLeave a five-star review to help other journalists discover the showShare the episode with a colleague or newsroom leader