The Analysis of Media Coverage of Al Generative Media and Earlier Media Technologies

The research examines media coverage of AI generative media, comparing it to narratives on earlier popular technologies like Photoshop and 19th-century photography. It aims to identify if discussions about AI echo historical sentiments or present new challenges. Employing media archaeology and Topoi Studies as a theoretical framework, the research identifies recurring themes in articles from the New York Times archive, analyzing these “topoi” against those associated with earlier technologies. Findings suggest that while generative AI introduces new capabilities, the patterns of media coverage are consistent with past technologies, which reflects social concerns that persist through technological evolutions. The study highlights the cyclical nature of media responses to technological innovations and underscores the importance of understanding these patterns to anticipate future societal impacts of new technologies. The analysis of generative AI, Photoshop, and early photography shows that media narratives tend to recycle specific themes, shaping public perception and influencing technological development and regulation.