Your favourite magazine – whether it is Vogue, National Geographic or another trusted publication – may already contain AI-generated content without notifying you. As Artificial Intelligence becomes embedded in newsrooms, an important question emerges: should readers have a right to know?
81% of publishers now use Artificial Intelligence for production or in editorial and almost 1 in every 5 publishers use Artificial Intelligence to assist with personalisation in their published content (1). Artificial Intelligence has become a common feature in modern publishing ranging from assistance with spell checks to generating whole pages of content. Therefore, would this revelation impact your trust with that magazine, or would it make little difference?
As we continue to read and spread information drawn from published content, the impact of Artificial Intelligence in this area cannot be understated. The ongoing issue of hallucinations in AI-generated content poses a threat to journalistic integrity and requires keen oversight by journalists to prevent the spread of false information.
The Role of AI
Artificial Intelligence can be used to assist journalists with their first drafts, generate snappy headlines, grammar check their work, find key takeaways, create images and personalise content. Applications are also adopting Artificial Intelligence such as BBC iPlayer: “The evolution of AI in all its forms offers tremendous opportunities for creativity, innovation and improved productivity in every area of the BBC” (3). While concern grows for the future of jobs in journalism, Artificial Intelligence may only play a minor role in assisting journalists to produce higher quality work in a more efficient fashion.
Benefits of AI in Journalism
There are numerous benefits to using Artificial Intelligence in journalism, such as a faster production rate, cost-effectiveness, and the ability for journalists to stay on top of active stories. However, 62% of UK journalists view Artificial Intelligence as a large threat to the future of journalism (4).
On the other hand, Vogue’s August 2025 issue has caused severe backlash and criticism due to a discreet label stating, “Produced by Seraphinne Vallora on AI.” The use of Artificial Intelligence in such a long-standing and esteemed publication has caused an “outrage” (2) amongst readers, with many “long time subscribers announcing cancellations” (2). The most prominent reason for this extreme backlash is the desire for authenticity.
The negativity following Vogue’s use of Artificial Intelligence is an example of why publications are more likely to shy away from publishing AI-generated content. Even with the potential of backlash, should we expect publishers to notify their readers whenever Artificial Intelligence has been used within their publications?
Transparency
Journalism relies on journalistic integrity as a foundation to keep audiences engaged. Disclosing when Artificial Intelligence has been used helps avoid deception and enables readers to research and assess the credibility of content. As Warren Buffett noted, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it” (5); therefore, disclosure may be a necessary step to preserve a publication’s reputation.
However, should we require transparency where Artificial Intelligence has been used merely as an editing tool? Grammarly, Photoshop and other known editing tools do not require a label to expose usage - should Artificial Intelligence require such disclosure?
Legal Complications
The Law is yet to catch up with the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence in journalism, creating further legal complications:
European Union Artificial Intelligence Act 2024 - Article 50 “Deployers of an AI system that generates or manipulates text which is published with the purpose of informing the public on matters of public interest shall disclose that the text has been artificially generated or manipulated.” (6). Under the new legislation, it is mandatory to label AI-generated content such as deepfakes; however, the disclosure of AI being used as an editing tool or for general writing assistance is not mandated under this Act.
Copyrights, Designs and Patent Act 1988 – Section 9(3) states that “In the case of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work which is computer-generated, the author shall be taken to be the person by whom the arrangements necessary for the creation of the work are undertaken” (7). However, the increasing sophistication of generative AI has prompted debate about whether this provision remains appropriate. How can we really give journalists full praise for authorship of “their” work if it was mostly computer-generated?
It is unlikely that Artificial Intelligence will disappear from journalism, especially for simple editing purposes. However, the need for clear and transparent labelling may be the key step in ensuring readers can continue to place trust in publications and potentially prevent some of the backlash seen with Vogue. If the core of journalism is trust and integrity, disclosure of AI-generated content should be seen as a necessity, and not just a source of anxiety for journalists.
Hamsini Bacchu, August 2026
1: https://presenc.ai/research/ai-in-media-and-publishing-statistics-2026
2: https://www.forbes.com/sites/moinroberts-islam/2025/07/29/vogue-erupts-ai-generated-models-spark-reader-fury-and-industry-panic/
3: https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/use-of-artificial-intelligence#editorialissuesintheuseofai
4: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/speed-hoaxes-and-mistrust-how-ai-transforming-freelance-journalism
5: https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2013/12/02/23-quotes-from-warren-buffett-on-life-and-generosity/
6: https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/50/
7: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/9