Journalists, Emotions, and the Introduction of Generative AI Chatbots: A Large-Scale Analysis of Tweets Before and After the Launch of ChatGPT

TL;DR

This study analyzes nearly 1 million tweets from U.S. journalists to examine emotional responses to ChatGPT's launch, revealing increased positivity and optimism post-release and highlighting journalists' role in shaping public narratives about AI.

Contribution

It provides a large-scale, data-driven analysis of journalists' emotional reactions to ChatGPT, illustrating how AI impacts media discourse and public perception.

Findings

Increase in positive emotion after ChatGPT launch

More favorable tone in journalists' tweets post-release

Journalists' reactions influence societal narratives about AI

Abstract

As part of a broader look at the impact of generative AI, this study investigated the emotional responses of journalists to the release of ChatGPT at the time of its launch. By analyzing nearly 1 million Tweets from journalists at major U.S. news outlets, we tracked changes in emotional tone and sentiment before and after the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022. Using various computational and natural language processing techniques to measure emotional shifts in response to ChatGPT's release, we found an increase in positive emotion and a more favorable tone post-launch, suggesting initial optimism toward AI's potential. This research underscores the pivotal role of journalists as interpreters of technological innovation and disruption, highlighting how their emotional reactions may shape public narratives around emerging technologies. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of journalism, emotion, and AI, offering insights into the broader societal impact of generative AI tools.