AI can write now. What happens to reporters?

Fast Company Tech

by Pete Pachal

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

AI's growing role in journalism has sparked a heated debate over its impact on reporters and traditional workflows. Chris Quinn, editor of Cleveland.com, shared how his newsroom uses AI to generate story ideas and even write articles based on reporter-collected material, freeing journalists to focus more on reporting rather than crafting prose. This approach has saved reporters an extra workday each week, but it hasn’t come without criticism. Many in the journalism community, including veteran writers and Substack contributors, have expressed outrage, arguing that writing is a crucial part of the reporting process. The AI-driven newsroom model raises questions about the separation of writing from reporting. While writing and reporting are often seen as distinct skills, they are deeply intertwined in the storytelling process. Critics worry that relying too heavily on AI for writing could dilute the artistry and human touch essential to journalism. However, supporters argue that AI excels at producing formulaic, factual-driven content, allowing journalists to focus on more critical tasks like source-building and investigative work. For readers interested in design and technology, this shift highlights the potential of AI to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency. While AI-generated writing may not match human creativity in nuanced storytelling, it can produce competent prose for straightforward news reporting. The key challenge lies in balancing AI's capabilities with preserving the unique human elements that define quality journalism. Ultimately, the future of journalism may rely on journalists becoming skilled operators of AI tools rather than traditional writers or reporters. This evolution could redefine roles within newsrooms and require a new approach to training and skill development. Whether this transformation leads to a more efficient or less authentic media landscape remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: AI is reshaping the way stories are told.

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Originally published on Fast Company Tech on 2/26/2026