When AI Overshadows the Media: Who Really Benefits?

Opinion

By Anton JieSamFoek

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) marks a quiet earthquake in the media industry. Articles are written faster and cheaper than ever. Images appear on command. Voices echo out of nowhere. The technology is impressive — and dangerous in its confidence.

AIsoundslike it knows what it’s talking about. It uses language that radiates authority and certainty. But those who fact-check quickly discover: AI is often wrong. And that matters. Because in a world where authority is increasingly replaced by algorithms, doubt is becoming an endangered virtue.

For writers, the impact is tangible. Why hire a seasoned journalist when AI can produce a “good enough” piece in seconds? Rates drop. Demand shifts. And the unique voice of the maker is drowned in a sea of slick, synthetic content.

The same applies to visual and audio creators. Photography without photographers. Illustrations without illustrators. Music without composers. The artist disappears, replaced by output without human touch. Even voices — once personal and recognizable — are cloned and generated by soulless machines.

So, who benefits?

The answer is clear. Big Tech — with its giant models, cloud infrastructure, and monopoly — profits handsomely. Media companies see an opportunity to cut costs. For them, AI is not a threat, but a tool of efficiency.

The losers? Those whose creativity and craftsmanship defined their careers. Writers, artists, musicians, designers. And ultimately:us. Because what we lose is not just a profession, but nuance, humanity, and trust.

Media — in all its forms — is more than information. It’s a mirror of our society. A space for reflection, criticism, and emotion. If we replace that mirror with confident illusions, we lose more than we realize.

Let us protect the craft. Promote transparency. Support regulation. And above all:recognize and value the human face behind information.

Because those who only listen to what sounds convincing, rarely hear what is true.

By Anton JiesamFoek