The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various stages of media content creation, processing, publication, and distribution can bring significant benefits to Armenian media outlets, but the application of AI also presents certain ethical challenges. This artificial intelligence ethics code is proposed as a supplement to the existing Ethics Code for Armenian media outlets. The purpose of this document is to create conditions so that the inevitable introduction of artificial intelligence into the media production chain does not compromise professional and moral standards and does not undermine public trust in journalistic activities.
Transparency: When AI systems are used for news gathering, processing, content creation, or distribution, their role must be clearly disclosed to the audience. Specifically, AI-generated content must be clearly labeled, including presenting the nature of algorithms used in AI models and their possible shortcomings.
Accuracy and Fact-Checking: AI tools should not replace human judgment and the critical due diligence approach to presented material. AI-generated content, approaches, and formulations must be rigorously verified and re-checked by journalists before publication. Media outlets must take responsibility for the accuracy of disseminated information, even if it was created using AI tools.
Fairness and Elimination of Discrimination: AI tools must be used in a way that prevents the manifestation of harmful stereotypes or discrimination at any stage of material creation, processing, publication, and distribution.
Privacy and Data Protection: The use of AI systems must comply with all applicable privacy laws and regulations. Journalists must be aware that data they share with artificial intelligence chatbots and models often becomes accessible to the companies that create them, and may also be used to supplement the data underlying those models and consequently become available to third parties. With this in mind, journalists must prioritize protecting the privacy of their sources and the data in their possession, and use artificial intelligence in a way that excludes the disclosure of sources and sensitive information.
Accountability and Human Oversight: Media organizations are ultimately responsible for the ethical use of AI. Editors and journalists must maintain complete control over final media content and correct errors or ethical violations resulting from the use of artificial intelligence.
Periodic Review of AI Rules: Since the AI field is changing rapidly, these rules are subject to periodic review and modifications in line with the latest developments in the field. Accordingly, this document is subject to review at least once annually, or earlier if significant developments in the field have occurred that require additional discussion.