The Use of AI Tools on the X Platform and Its Impact on Media Professionals' Coverage of the Syrian Crisis: A Field Study

Abstract

The digital revolution has reshaped the media landscape and intensified the challenges faced by journalists, particularly during crises and conflicts. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) applications have emerged as valuable tools for improving media performance, facilitating access to information, and enhancing data analysis, while simultaneously raising concerns regarding professionalism, credibility, and journalistic ethics.
This study focuses on the X platform as one of the most prominent digital platforms for disseminating news and information related to major events and crises, particularly the Syrian crisis, which is considered one of the most complex political, humanitarian, and media-related crises in the region.
The study aims to examine the role of AI applications in enhancing media discourse concerning the Syrian crisis through tools such as the AI assistant Grok, recommendation algorithms, and data analytics, all of which influence content ranking, shape public discussions, and amplify certain media narratives over others.
The findings indicate that respondents perceive the contribution of AI to improving news engagement and accuracy as moderate rather than decisive. The results also reveal a clear awareness among respondents of the influence of AI algorithms on news ranking, information dissemination, and their role in shaping the media agenda.