Key Insights on Anna Vissens: How Can Media Outlets Use Artificial Intelligence?

Anna Vissens is a physicist by training but has dedicated almost her entire career to the media. Today, she is the Lead of the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence team at UK-based The Guardian News and Media, and she will deliver a keynote at Media Party Buenos Aires 2024, taking place from August 29 to 31. She has several answers to the questions currently swirling around newsrooms: How can we use artificial intelligence in a useful way, without doing it just to hop on the trend?

At The Guardian, Anna leads a team of data scientists working on a variety of machine learning (ML) projects across different areas of the business, including journalism, reader revenue, and commercial operations.

My role, while primarily managerial, is still very hands-on. I enjoy every opportunity to actively participate in model development,” she said in a conversation with Media Party.

The specialist previously worked at the BBC, where in 2007 she received an award for Best Producer in recognition of building new audiences and developing an effective social media strategy. She also participated in the JournalismAI collaboration.

For Anna, Data Science is crucial in the media. Beyond skills in statistics and programming, data scientists “offer innovative solutions, particularly in handling large datasets.” This integration can lead to more informed decision-making and streamlined operations in the newsroom.

-Can a journalist become a data scientist?

-In my case, I transitioned from science to journalism and then back to data science. I am a physicist by training, but I ventured into journalism at some point in my career. I spent many years in journalism, but I always felt nostalgic for science and seized every opportunity to work with data, helping newsrooms gain better insights.

About 10 years ago, I decided to go back to science, retrained, and got my first job as a data scientist. Having a very strong technical foundation helped me a lot. For journalists aspiring to become data scientists, the first steps involve building a solid foundation in statistics and gradually improving technical skills, such as programming and data analysis.

-How does The Guardian use artificial intelligence?

-I rarely use the term “artificial intelligence” because it leads to all sorts of misconceptions. At The Guardian, we focus on machine learning (ML). One of our first ML products was a system that helped moderators detect toxic comments. This was implemented before my arrival at The Guardian and is still in use today.

Recently, my team launched our first user-facing ML feature, which allows readers to filter live blog content. When we choose the projects we undertake, we prioritize saving time by optimizing routine tasks, allowing journalists to focus more on creativity.

-How can media outlets start implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in their newsrooms in a useful way, without jumping on the trend just because it is a trend?

-In my experience working with small newsrooms globally, Data Science offers efficient solutions to common challenges. However, it is essential to start with the basics: the data itself.

Media organizations should first focus on how they collect, store, and process data. Ensuring the quality and quantity of data, and enriching it with metadata, is crucial. Without a solid data foundation, the full potential of Data Science and AI cannot be implemented.

Anna Vissens will be at Media Party with a must-attend talk on these topics. Other international speakers will also participate, such as Sam Guzik, a specialist in creating sustainable futures for journalism, Senior Expert Advisor at the Future Today Institute, and Product Leader at New York Public Radio.

For your calendar:

The 12th edition of Media Party 2024 is coming to Buenos Aires, the largest media innovation conference in Latin America. A global gathering for journalists, designers, entrepreneurs, and tech experts, generating innovative dialogues with an impact on the media ecosystem.

The event will take place from August 29 to 31, 2024. The first two days will be held at Ciudad Cultural Konex, and the third day—the day of the hackathon—will take place at AreaTres El Salvador.

Media Party is not a typical conference. For three days, attendees immerse themselves in an exploration of pioneering practices in journalism, artificial intelligence, and innovation in the media business.

This year, Media Party is supported by Google News Initiative, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), IFPIM, Meedan, MDIF, Internet Society, Telecom — Redacciones 5G, JournalismAI, News Product Alliance, Adepa, and AreaTres among other organizations.