Good AI for JournalismThe Newsroom Notebook
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Section 04 — Story & Explainers

Things worth understanding before the next news cycle.

Concepts, terms, and frequently-asked questions translated into language a working journalist or a curious student can use.

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Abstract typography arranged in a flowing pattern.
Concept

Large language models, briefly

What they are, what they are not, and why "it's just autocomplete" is both true and unhelpful.

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A library card catalogue with one drawer pulled open.
Concept

Retrieval-augmented generation

Why "the model looked it up" is doing a lot of work in that sentence.

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A schematic diagram of nodes and arrows on graph paper.
Concept

Training data, in one diagram

Where models learn from, why it matters, and the licensing questions still unresolved.

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Frequently asked

Questions we keep getting.

Is AI replacing journalists?
No. The microsite's editorial position is that AI is a tool for journalism. Humans remain the primary editorial decision-makers, and AI use is disclosed when material.
Can I reuse content from this microsite?
Most explainers and OER materials are released under open licences. Each item carries its own licence notice — check before redistributing.
How do you decide what to publish?
Content must be based on real practice, learning, or relevant references. We stay critical of both the opportunities and the impacts of AI on media and the public.