Employing Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Al Arabiya Newsrooms: A Field Study within the Framework of Technological Determinism Theory

This study aims to understand how Al Arabiya channel utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in its newsrooms, through a field study framed within the theory of technological determinism. The research also aims to explore the extent to which journalists at the channel rely on these technologies in their work and identify the key areas they depend on in their journalistic work. The study problem is framed around the main question: To what extent does Al Arabiya channel employ AI techniques in its newsrooms? Accordingly, this study belongs to descriptive studies using the survey method and relying on the electronic questionnaire tool. It was distributed to a purposive research sample consisting of 30 journalists, aiming to interrogate them through a variety of closed-ended multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions to determine the diversity of their opinions regarding the extent of AI technology utilization in Al Arabiya's newsroom. The study yielded several key findings: • The results showed that the majority of the sample had experience in using AI techniques, with a rate of 73.3%. However, approximately 46.7%, almost half of the sample, rely to a low degree on these technologies in their journalistic work. • All sample members benefited from education and self-training in the field of AI by 100%, with most relying on free websites supported by AI technologies in their journalistic work. • The results indicated a moderate relationship between AI technologies and the professional development of journalists. 80% of the sample pointed to the need for more training and development for journalists to enable them to effectively handle AI technologies. • The main challenges faced by sample members when using AI techniques in their journalistic work include the lack of necessary materials, lack of experience, and shortage of AI-related training courses and workshops. • The results showed no statistically significant relationship between the degree of reliance of sample members on AI techniques in their journalistic work and years of experience.