Reader Ombudsman Addresses AI Concerns in Media

The reader ombudsman for a major publication has released an annual review addressing reader inquiries and criticisms from 2025. A primary focus of these inquiries was the role of artificial intelligence in the newsroom.

Readers specifically questioned whether AI tools are responsible for editing errors found in articles and if the editorial staff utilizes these technologies to generate text or images. The ombudsman, Soledad Alcaide, compiled these concerns to provide clarity on the publication's editorial practices.

This review highlights a growing awareness and scrutiny regarding the intersection of technology and journalism. The response aims to address transparency issues surrounding the use of automated tools in media production.

Soledad Alcaide, serving as the reader ombudsman, has conducted a comprehensive review of the year's feedback. This assessment is based on doubts, criticisms, and suggestions submitted by readers and listeners through written correspondence and audio messages.

The process involves analyzing the most frequent concerns raised by the audience to better understand their expectations and concerns regarding the publication's content. This annual tradition serves as a bridge between the audience and the editorial team, ensuring that reader voices are heard and addressed.

By categorizing the feedback, the ombudsman identifies recurring themes that require official clarification. The 2025 review specifically highlighted a significant shift in reader focus toward technological implementation.

Among the various topics discussed, artificial intelligence emerged as one of the most significant sources of reader anxiety. The audience expressed a need for greater transparency regarding how automated tools are integrated into the news production process.

Specifically, the feedback highlighted three main areas of concern:

• The potential link between AI usage and editing errors detected in published articles.
• The extent to which the editorial staff relies on AI to generate written content.
• The use of AI technologies to create or manipulate images published by the outlet.

These inquiries suggest that readers are becoming increasingly vigilant about the authenticity and human oversight of the news they consume. The ombudsman's response aims to clarify the publication's stance on these emerging technologies.

In response to the inquiries, the ombudsman addressed the specific question of whether AI explains the errors readers detect during editing. This suggests a need to distinguish between human oversight and automated processing.

The feedback indicates that readers are actively looking for the root cause of mistakes. If AI is involved in the process, the audience expects to know how it contributes to the final output, whether positively or negatively.

While the source text does not provide the specific answers given by the ombudsman, the act of posing these questions highlights the critical nature of the audience's scrutiny. The publication is tasked with maintaining trust while navigating these new technological waters.

The 2025 review by Soledad Alcaide underscores a pivotal moment in the relationship between media outlets and their audiences. As technology evolves, so too does the expectation for transparency regarding its use.

Addressing concerns about artificial intelligence is no longer optional but essential for maintaining credibility. The ombudsman's role remains vital in interpreting these concerns and advocating for the reader's right to understand the editorial process.