Navigating AI Without a Roadmap: Local Journalists’ Pragmatic Adoption and the Institutional Void in Türkiye

Although research on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on journalism in Türkiye has been increasing, studies focusing on local journalists’ everyday journalistic practices and whether they have institutional guidance in their use of AI remain quite limited. This study aims to examine local journalists’ perceptions of AI, their forms of use, their evaluations of opportunities and risks, and their views on institutional support. Within the scope of qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 local journalists working in local media organisations in Türkiye’s Aegean Region. The data obtained were evaluated through thematic analysis. According to the findings, local journalists use AI as a visual and textual supportive tool in news production. However, while participants stated that AI provides speed and efficiency, they also expressed concerns about ethical issues and the weakening of professional skills. It is observed that the adoption process of AI is shaped by individual initiatives without institutional guidance or formal policy. In addition, the findings draw attention to the need for developing institutional policies, increasing training opportunities, and maintaining human oversight in AI-supported journalism.