At its 24^th Plenary meeting (29 November - 1 December 2023), the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI) adopted Guidelines on the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in journalism, elaborated by its subordinate body, Committee of Experts on Increasing Resilience of Media (MSI-RES).  

These Guidelines are an important contribution to the promotion of a rule of law-based and human rights-compliant public communication sphere. They provide practical guidance to the relevant addressees, in particular news media organisations, but also States, technology providers and digital platforms that disseminate news, detailing how AI systems should be used to support the production of journalism.  

The text covers the use of AI systems in different stages of journalistic production, ranging from the decision to use AI systems, the acquisition of AI tools, incorporating AI systems into professional practice and the external dimension of using AI in newsrooms, namely its effect on the audiences and society. The Guidelines furthermore propose certain responsibilities for technology providers and platforms, as well as for member states. The latter can play an important role in developing standards for the responsible use of AI and providing support, including financial schemes for the development of responsible journalistic AI systems.  

The Guidelines were developed in parallel with the work on the Council of Europe’s future framework convention on AI and have a sectoral focus, concretising broad general principles for their application in the context of journalism.