'For decades, journalism has gradually redefined what it means to be a ‘good journalist’. Each era, each type of media, and each technological context has projected its own professional ideal. However, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence marks an unprecedented turning point: for the first time in nearly two centuries, the mode of production in journalism is changing.'

'The question is no longer just which tools to use, but which human skills will remain essential when much of the technical, mechanical, and routine work can be automated.'

'How journalistic skills have changed over time'

'To understand the current moment, it is worth looking back. The qualities that defined the ideal journalist have always been linked to the type of medium and the priorities of each era.'

'The “rat-like cunning” and classic journalism'

'In his book News and How to Use It (2020), Alan Rusbridger recovers a list published in 1969 by correspondent Nick Tomalin, where he summarized the essential qualities for success in journalism: cunning, a plausible style, and some literary ability.'

'Tomalin defended what he called “rat-like cunning”: the ability to discover and publish what others would prefer to keep hidden. Added to this were traits such as memory, emotional resilience, detached professionalism, and an almost instinctive ability to navigate between sources, officials, and complex situations.'

'It was a deeply human journalism, based on judgment, intuition, and perseverance.'

'The tabloid school: pressure, access, and results'

'A very different model emerges from the account of the New York Post recorded in Paper of Wreckage (2024). It describes the training of journalists under the tutelage of Steve Dunleavy, a tabloid reporter known for his aggressive, results-oriented style.'

'The focus was on getting the story at any cost: access, psychological pressure, speed, and reaction capacity. As a Post editor summarized, his greatest strength was being willing to do anything for a story… and his greatest weakness was exactly the same.'

'The digital journalist and the era of metrics'

'A third profile appears with the expansion of digital media. In Mail Men (2017), Adrian Addison describes the MailOnline journalist as a hybrid figure: writer, editor, image curator, video specialist, and deep knower of audience metrics.'

'This model reflects a newsroom optimized for productivity and engagement, where technical versatility and adaptation to the digital environment are as important as narrative ability.'

'Generative AI and the structural change of journalism'

'While these models are very different from each other, they all seem modest compared to the impact of generative AI. For the first time, automated systems can write, summarize, group, verify, and distribute information, tasks that for decades defined the journalistic craft.'

'This raises a central question: If AI takes over routine work, what value does the human journalist provide?'

'What skills the modern journalist needs in the AI era'

'During the WAN-IFRA Newsroom Summit in Copenhagen, editorial leaders debated how journalists can thrive in an environment marked by automation.'

'More than curiosity: knowledge and judgment'

'Although curiosity remains a fundamental trait, several editors agreed that it is not enough on its own. The modern journalist needs deep knowledge, sector expertise, and networks of contacts that provide context and credibility.'

'AI can process information, but it does not replace human judgment or understanding of the environment.'

'Adaptability and flexibility as a competitive advantage'

'One of the clearest consensuses of the debate was the importance of adaptability. Technical skills change; the ability to learn, test, and take on new roles is what guarantees long-term relevance.'

'Flexibility is no longer an added value, but an essential condition for remaining a journalist.'

'New ways of discovering information'

'Another key challenge is breaking the reliance on the same old sources and channels. Newsrooms must teach journalists to explore new avenues of discovery, identify relevant signals, and understand where their audiences truly are.'

'Understanding platforms, formats, and consumption behaviors becomes a strategic skill.'

'What AI cannot replace'

'In each historical stage, journalism has redefined its core values. AI is accelerating this process and forcing the industry to clarify what is irreplaceable.'

'The answer is clear: judgment, creativity, adaptability, and a human understanding of context.'

'Technology can assist, automate, and amplify. But no machine can replace the human ability to interpret, question, and make sense of reality.'

'Conclusion: adapting without losing the essence of journalism'

'The era of artificial intelligence does not eliminate the value of journalism; it redefines it. As mechanical tasks disappear, human skills become more visible and more valuable.'

'The modern journalist is not someone who competes with the machine, but someone who knows how to work above it, providing what AI cannot replicate: judgment, creativity, and editorial responsibility.'

'That will remain the heart of journalism, even in the AI era.'