As artificial intelligence transforms the media landscape at breakneck speed, news leaders from some of the world's most respected organizations are sounding the alarm about the urgent need for the journalism industry to adapt—or risk losing public trust altogether.
At The Globe and Mail Foundation's inaugural "Editing Democracy" event in Toronto, senior editors and AI experts gathered to discuss how newsrooms are assessing the profound risks and unexpected opportunities presented by powerful new technology.
The discussion underscored a critical challenge facing Canadian journalists: how to harness AI's potential while protecting the integrity of the information Canadians rely on daily.
AI Reshaping How Canadians Get Health Information
Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the Canadian Medical Association, opened the conversation by highlighting how AI is already changing the way people seek and receive critical health information.
"The physicians of Canada share an important responsibility with the news media—helping people make informed decisions based on accurate, timely, and trustworthy information," Burnell said. "Today, that responsibility is being reshaped by the rapid growth of AI."
The overlap between health communication and AI-driven misinformation represents a particularly urgent concern, as Canadians increasingly turn to digital sources for medical guidance.
What the World's Top News Organizations Are Saying
The panel brought together heavyweight voices from global journalism:
Sally Buzbee, News Editor for the US and Canada at Reuters, shared insights on how one of the world's oldest news organizations is integrating AI tools while maintaining editorial standards. Caspar Llewellyn Smith, Chief AI Officer at Guardian News & Media, discussed the philosophical and practical challenges of deploying artificial intelligence across newsrooms. Glenda Crisp, CEO of The Vector Institute—Canada's leading AI research centre—provided technical perspective on emerging technologies. Nicholas Hune-Brown, Executive Editor at The Local, rounded out the discussion with on-the-ground insights from the hyperlocal news sector.
Phillip Crawley, Chair of The Globe and Mail Foundation and former publisher of The Globe and Mail, moderated the conversation, which explored everything from content generation to the spread of digital misinformation.
The Stakes for Canadian Newsrooms
The "Editing Democracy" event arrived at a critical moment for Canadian journalism. News organizations across the country face mounting pressure to compete in an AI-saturated digital environment while maintaining the investigative rigour and fact-checking that protect democratic discourse.
For Calgary and Alberta media outlets, the conversation hits especially close to home. As local newsrooms navigate budget constraints and changing reader behaviour, understanding how to implement AI responsibly—without sacrificing accuracy or community trust—has become essential to survival.
The full event recording is available through The Globe and Mail Foundation's website, offering Canadian journalists and media professionals a chance to hear directly from industry leaders grappling with these transformative questions.
This article is based on reporting from Financial Post and The Globe and Mail Foundation's "Editing Democracy" event.