Artificial intelligence practices in local media: Sakarya example

This thesis aims to examine the positive and negative views of local media workers in Sakarya regar-ding artificial intelligence technologies, their use of these tools, and their impact on the journalism profession. Artificial intelligence plays a role similar to the historical journey of information transfer and processing tools such as writing, printing, and the internet. In doing so, AI is both providing new roles for employees in the communications sector and stealing a role from their traditional identities. The expansions brought by this digital transformation and transformation process to the media and local media are impacting the sector and its employees in multiple ways. This study analyzes the perspectives of print and online local news media intellectuals on artificial intelligence tools, the im-pact of new technologies on journalistic identity, the ethical issues raised in this process, and the fu-ture of local media. Within this framework, we examine technology, communication, artificial intel-ligence, media theories, and the development of Sakarya media to determine the theoretical fra-mework for professional transformation and digital integration. This qualitative research study utili-zes semi-structured interviews to analyze comparatively the views of a sample of local media in Sa-karya using the MAXQDA program. The findings focus on the controlled use of AI tools in Sakarya's local media, particularly in professional processes such as text and image creation. Analysis of the findings will contribute to understanding the role of AI in the local media ecosystem and predicting future trends in this area.