Smart Media or Biased Media: The Impacts and Challenges of AI and Big Data on the Media Industry

Abstract

This study critically analyzes the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data on the media industry, focusing on the ethical challenges and biases introduced by these technologies. The research aims to uncover the extent to which AI and big data influence content personalization, creation, and marketing, and the ramifications of these influences on cultural diversity and societal norms. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative analysis through a survey of 532 respondents and qualitative thematic analysis of 10 academic literatures. The findings reveal significant associations between automated content creation tools and societal biases, personalized recommendation systems and echo chambers, and algorithmic recommendations and cultural homogenization. Conversely, no significant association was found between big data analytics and privacy concerns. The study highlights the need for ethical guidelines, enhanced content diversity, strengthened data privacy measures, and increased algorithmic transparency to mitigate the ethical challenges and biases in AI-driven media platforms. These insights contribute to the broader understanding of AI and big data's role in shaping the media industry, offering valuable implications for future research, policy-making, and industry practices.