Podgorica, (MINA) – Media outlets in Montenegro should adopt internal rules that will define for which tasks artificial intelligence (AI) can be used and in which situations its use is not acceptable, said project manager at the Media Trade Union Drazen Djuraskovic.

 

He also pointed out that there is a danger that AI is not used primarily to support journalists, but as a means of producing more content with fewer employees, which could lead to job cuts.

 

Djuraskovic, who is also the author of the study “AI in the newsroom, the first changes in journalistic practice in Montenegro”, said that AI is already present in Montenegrin newsrooms, but that its use mostly takes place without clear rules.

 

He told the MINA News Agency that, although to a lesser extent, AI is also present in basic journalistic tasks such as drafting questions, preparing a draft articles or suggesting headlines.

 

“What the research identifies is the intention of some employers to use the voice of their employees to train AI models, without the employees being sufficiently informed about the extent and manner of such use”, added Djuraskovic.

 

Asked what he sees as the biggest challenge when it comes to AI in journalism in Montenegro, Djuraskovic said that it is not the technology itself, but its uncontrolled and non-transparent use in newsrooms that already operate with limited staff, under constant time pressure and without enough resources to verify information.

 

“In such an environment, there is a danger that AI will not be used primarily as a support for journalists, but as a tool for producing more content with fewer employees”, Djuraskovic argues.

 

That, he added, could lead to job cuts, increased workloads for remaining staff, increased monitoring of employee performance and additional pressure to produce content faster.

 

According to Djuraskovic, that is why the issue of introducing AI in newsrooms must also be seen as an issue of labor rights.

 

“A special problem is professional responsibility. AI can produce convincing but completely incorrect information, fabricated quotes or non-existent sources. Therefore, journalists and editors cannot simply transfer responsibility to technology”, said Djuraskovic.

 

He added that any fact, data, quote or source suggested by AI must be independently verified.

 

Asked about the legal regulation of AI in the media, Djuraskovic said that the recently adopted revised Code of Journalists of Montenegro already includes provisions on the responsible use of artificial intelligence among the first guidelines.

 

“The Code insists on human verification and editorial responsibility for the content created by AI, as well as transparency towards the audience when the use of these tools could mislead them”, said Djuraskovic.

 

According to him, the bottom line is that responsibility cannot be transferred to technology.

 

Djuraskovic stated that the media should adopt specific internal rules that will define which tasks AI can be used for, in which situations its use is not acceptable, who is responsible for reviewing AI content, when the audience should be informed, how sources and confidential data are protected and who bears responsibility in the event of an error.

 

Speaking about the regulatory framework, he said that the development of the 2026-2030 AI ​​Strategy of Montenegro is in progress, while the process of the country’s EU integration requires alignment with the European AI Act.

 

Speaking about whether AI can replace journalists, Djuraskovic stated that this is not the most realistic scenario.

 

“There is a greater risk that the AI will change the way work is organized and enable employers to produce more content with fewer staff”, said Djuraskovic.