FTI-2018年新闻报道科技趋势（英文版）-2018-90页-63mb

2018 Tech Trends for Journalism and Media Summary

Core Content

The 2018 Tech Trends For Journalism report by the Future Today Institute provides an in-depth analysis of emerging technologies that are set to transform the news ecosystem. It outlines the importance of understanding and adapting to these trends to ensure the long-term sustainability of news organizations in the face of rapid technological change.

The report emphasizes that 2018 is a turning point for media, information, and technology. It highlights how journalists are now tasked with explaining the difference between facts, "alternative facts," and lies, while also needing to adapt to new tools and business models that are being disrupted by machine learning and algorithmic gatekeeping.

Main Trends and Key Points

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a central theme. The report explains that AI is not a single trend but encompasses various subfields such as machine learning, natural language understanding, and natural language generation.

  • Weak AI (ANI) is already being used in journalism to generate content like sports recaps, financial summaries, and crime reports.
  • Strong AI (AGI) remains a distant goal, but the report warns of its potential to disrupt traditional journalism roles.
  • AI automation is still in its early stages and cannot replace trained journalists, though it will enhance their capabilities.

• Voice interfaces are becoming a major challenge and opportunity for journalism. By 2023, 50% of consumer interactions with computers are expected to be voice-based. This raises questions about how news organizations will be cited in automated conversations and the need for new business models.

• Decentralization is a key theme, with an emphasis on peer-to-peer networks that can detect harassment, share resources, and connect reporters with sources. The concept of "splinternets" is also introduced, referring to the division of internet access by governments.

• Consolidation is another major trend, with news brands, broadcast spectrum, and AI startups being increasingly acquired by a few large corporations. This trend could further concentrate power in the media and tech industries.

• Computational Journalism involves the use of AI and machine learning to enhance reporting, fact-checking, and editing. It also includes the use of crowdlearning, I-Teams for Algorithms and Data, and real-time fact checking.

• New hardware technologies such as CubeSats, smartwatches, earables, and head-mounted displays are expected to play a role in the future of news distribution and consumption.

• Algorithm marketplaces and predictive machine vision are emerging tools that can be used to personalize news and detect fraud or bias in content.

• Differential privacy and transparency in metrics are important considerations for maintaining trust in the media and protecting user data.

Strategic Implications

The report encourages news organizations to anticipate technological disruption and develop new models for reporting and distributing news. It outlines a six-step funnel methodology for forecasting trends and a framework for incremental action on emerging technologies.

The report also includes a FAQ section to clarify what a trend is and how it can be used to guide strategic thinking. It suggests that trends are driven by basic human needs and that they evolve from fringe to mainstream over time.

How to Use the Report

• Identify strategic opportunities and challenges in the coming year.
• Engage in cross-industry collaboration and experimentation.
• Anticipate second, third, fourth, and fifth-order impacts of each trend.
• Use the Action Matrix to determine whether to monitor, inform strategy, or take action on each trend.

Conclusion

The report serves as a jumping-off point for deeper strategic planning and urges journalists to think critically about the role of AI and other emerging technologies in the future of news. It emphasizes the need for adaptation, innovation, and ethical considerations as the media landscape continues to evolve.