Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni used the prestigious 2026 Andrew Olle Media Lecture in Sydney to deliver a clear message to the media and AI industries: artificial intelligence can help journalism, but it must not come at the expense of the people who produce original reporting.
Speaking at the annual lecture hosted by Australia's ABC, Galloni argued that AI is reshaping how people consume news, while raising serious questions about copyright, attribution, newsroom economics, and public trust. She called for responsible AI development that respects journalistic content and ensures publishers receive fair compensation when their work is used to train AI models.
Key Takeaways
- Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni says AI should support—not replace—journalism.
- She warned that AI companies using news content without permission could threaten the economics of original reporting.
- Reuters supports licensing agreements, attribution, and human editorial oversight in AI-powered journalism.
- Around 10% of global news consumers now use AI chatbots for news, according to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026.
- Galloni believes collaboration across the media industry is essential to establish responsible AI standards.
AI Is Changing How People Find News
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the daily news experience. Whether through chatbots, AI-generated summaries, or integrated assistants in search engines and smartphones, millions of readers are no longer visiting news websites directly.
Galloni highlighted findings from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026, noting that 10% of people globally now use AI chatbots to access news—a figure that has risen sharply over the past year. Among younger audiences, adoption is even higher, suggesting conversational AI is becoming a mainstream gateway to information.
That trend presents both an opportunity and a challenge. AI can make information easier to access, but it also risks weakening the direct relationship between publishers and their audiences.
The Growing Battle Over AI and Copyright
One of the lecture's strongest themes was the relationship between AI developers and news organizations.
Galloni argued that original journalism requires substantial investment. Newsrooms fund reporters, editors, photographers, overseas bureaus, and investigative projects—resources that cannot be sustained if AI systems freely use published content without permission or payment.
She called for AI companies to:
- License journalistic content legally
- Provide clear attribution
- Compensate publishers fairly
- Respect intellectual property rights
Rather than opposing AI itself, Galloni emphasized that responsible commercial partnerships can benefit both technology companies and news organizations.
"AI should enhance journalism—not undermine the business that makes journalism possible." (Paraphrased from Galloni's lecture.)
Reuters Is Using AI—But With Human Oversight
Despite her concerns, Galloni made it clear that Reuters is not resisting AI adoption.
Instead, the global news organization is integrating AI into newsroom workflows where it can improve efficiency while keeping editorial decisions in human hands.
According to Galloni, Reuters uses AI to help accelerate tasks such as:
- Processing large volumes of information
- Assisting investigative reporting
- Speeding up newsroom workflows
- Supporting journalists with research
However, published journalism continues to rely on editorial verification and accountability.
This "human-led, technology-enabled" approach reflects a broader industry shift toward using AI as a productivity tool rather than an autonomous newsroom.
Why Trust Matters More Than Ever
Galloni also pointed to another growing challenge: misinformation.
As generative AI makes it easier to create convincing fake images, videos, and audio, trusted news organizations may become even more valuable. Professional journalism, she argued, depends on verification, sourcing, and accountability—qualities that automated systems alone cannot guarantee.
She encouraged media organizations to collaborate on issues such as:
- Detecting AI-generated misinformation
- Sharing best practices for responsible AI use
- Protecting journalists covering conflict zones
- Developing industry-wide AI governance standards
In her view, these are areas where competitors should work together to protect public trust.
A Debate Governments Are Watching Closely
Galloni's remarks come as governments worldwide examine how AI companies should interact with copyright-protected content.
In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at protecting creative works and journalism from unauthorized AI use. The speech therefore arrives amid broader discussions about balancing AI innovation with intellectual property rights.
As publishers negotiate licensing agreements with AI developers, the outcome could influence how AI models are trained and how news organizations are compensated in the years ahead.
What This Means for You
If you rely on AI tools to stay informed, this debate directly affects the quality of the information you receive.
Responsible licensing agreements could help ensure that AI assistants continue to provide accurate, well-sourced information while supporting the journalists who produce it. Without sustainable funding for original reporting, the supply of reliable information could decline over time.
For readers, businesses, and AI developers alike, Galloni's message is straightforward: the future of AI and journalism should be collaborative, not adversarial. AI can make reporting faster and more accessible, but trust, accountability, and original reporting remain essential foundations of the news ecosystem.
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