• by Charlene Weisler , Op-Ed Contributor, March 1, 2023

As one who has been conducting interviews with media professionals for the past 15 years, I was curious to see what ChatGPT’s “opinion” was about media trends. So I signed up and asked some questions. Here, edited down, are some results:

Charlene Weisler: Will linear TV be around in five years?

ChatGPT: It's difficult to predict the exact future of the television industry with certainty, but based on current trends and developments, it is likely that linear TV will continue to be around in some form for the next five years.

While the trend towards streaming services and on-demand viewing has been growing rapidly in recent years, linear TV still has a significant audience and remains a major source of revenue for many broadcasters and cable networks. Additionally, many people still enjoy the experience of watching live television, particularly for sports and other live events.

That being said, the television industry is constantly evolving and adapting to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. It is possible that linear TV may continue to decline in popularity, particularly among younger audiences who are more likely to prefer streaming and on-demand viewing. In response, traditional broadcasters and cable networks may need to embrace new technologies and business models in order to stay competitive and relevant.

In short, while it is difficult to predict the exact future of the television industry, it is likely that linear TV will continue to coexist with streaming services and other forms of on-demand viewing for the next five years and beyond.

Weisler: How will AI impact the media industry?

ChatGPT: AI is already having a significant impact on the media industry, and it is likely to continue to do so in the coming years. Here are some ways in which AI is expected to impact the media industry:

Personalization: AI can be used to analyze user data and create personalized recommendations for media content. This could lead to more tailored experiences for users and higher engagement with media content.

Content Creation: AI can be used to create news articles, videos, and other forms of media content. While AI-generated content is not yet at the level of human-generated content, it is improving rapidly, and could lead to significant efficiencies and cost savings in the media industry.

Advertising: AI can be used to analyze user data and target advertising more effectively. This could lead to more relevant and effective advertising, as well as higher advertising revenues for media companies.

Media Management: AI can be used to automate and streamline various aspects of media management, such as content moderation, copyright enforcement, and content distribution. This could lead to significant cost savings for media companies.

Journalism: AI can be used to help journalists analyze data and identify trends and patterns. This could lead to more in-depth and data-driven journalism, as well as new forms of storytelling.

Ethics and bias: As with any technology, there are concerns about the ethical implications of AI in the media industry. AI-generated content, for example, could be used to spread disinformation or to reinforce biases. It will be important for media companies to be aware of these risks and to take steps to mitigate them.

Overall, AI is likely to have a significant impact on the media industry in the coming years. While there are potential benefits to be gained, it will be important for media companies to be aware of the risks and to use AI in a responsible and ethical way.