CLEVELAND, Ohio – Sports journalists are embracing the effectivity of synthetic intelligence while sustaining accuracy and the human components that outline their storytelling.
During a panel on “Reclaiming the Craft of Writing in the Age of AI” on the National Association of Black Journalists convention, ESPN senior NBA author Mark Spears shared a shaggy dog story that highlighted the expertise’s potential risks when he requested AI what his web price was.
“According to AI, I have an estimated net worth of at least $19 million,” Spears mentioned. “I looked at my bank account and a lot of zeros were off of that number.”
The panel of sports journalists, which included Ethan Sands of cleveland.com, Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News, C.L. Brown of the Louisville Courier Journal, and Michaela Gilmer of TNT Sports, largely agreed that AI has its place within the business – however with important limitations.
“I’m for the use of AI as long as it’s a tool, as long as it’s a part of what you’re doing, not driving everything you’re doing,” mentioned Brown, who has coated sports for 30 years.
Sands, the beat author for the Cleveland Cavaliers and host of the “Wine and Gold” podcast, echoed Brown’s response.
“AI offers both benefits and challenges,” Sands mentioned. ”We should perceive tips on how to interact with it while nonetheless doing our personal analysis.”
Panelists highlighted several examples of AI’s shortcomings, including an article that incorrectly reported a player’s vertical leap at the NBA draft by using measurements from another player. In another case, Gilmer recounted how AI-derived information led to a false report about a player’s death.
“That player is very much alive,” she said. “Companies have to issue apologies. It’s really inexcusable because that means you didn’t check your source, and you didn’t go back and do your own research.”
Despite these concerns, the panel of journalists acknowledged AI’s benefits for tasks like transcription, data analysis, and improving efficiency.
The panel particularly stressed the irreplaceable value of human presence in reporting.
Curtis, who covers the Dallas Mavericks, highlighted the “color, the creativity, the growth that you can see from people writing” that comes from being present to develop relationships with sources. Other panelists agreed that being physically at games and in locker rooms with players is an advantage over AI because it gives them opportunities for follow-ups and feature stories.
Media professionals are aware that technology will improve with increased usage. However, AI can’t replace depth of knowledge or experience.
“We have to create our own value to make sure we become as irreplaceable as possible,” Brown said.
Journalists offered advice to aspiring reporters and college students, cautioning them not to become overly dependent on AI early in their careers, even when schools encourage it.
“Storytelling is what our job really is,” Sands said. “As a journalist, if you’re always using AI, you’re giving away your power. Don’t lose your power.”
As AI integration in newsrooms increases, the panel’s consensus was clear: technology serves best as a tool. It can’t replace the human elements that give sports journalism its depth and authenticity.
“You still have to source,” Spears emphasized. “Just because you see it on the AI, don’t just take it as a fact.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.