Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, from essays to news articles, offering speed and efficiency, but at what cost? School Paper Adviser Analyn Tejada reminded student journalists during the Division Journalism Training and Press Conference that AI can guide research, but it cannot replace critical thinking, creativity, or conscience. Copying its output verbatim is not just lazy; it undermines academic integrity. The real measure of a writer is not how fast they produce content, but how thoughtfully they shape it, question it, and make it their own.
AI can be a powerful assistant, but misused, it sabotages learning and reporting. Nearly half of students using AI submit work without fully engaging, and every unedited draft is like giving your thoughts to a ghostwriter that cannot question, reflect, or verify facts. For journalists—student or professional—AI can guide, but the steps and decisions still belong to the writer. Every story is a test of integrity: use the tool wisely, or let it write your conscience for you.
In 2025, 63% of Filipino students use AI tools like ChatGPT for writing and research, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, yet many rely on it without fully engaging. This threatens critical thinking and creativity. Journalism demands accuracy, context, and conscience—qualities no algorithm can replace. In this era, maintaining Academic Integrity means using these tools responsibly, letting them guide your work without replacing the mind, effort, and ethics that make every story truly yours.