Framing artificial intelligence adoption in state-controlled media: An analysis in Vietnamese Journalism

This study examines the framing of artificial intelligence (AI) in Vietnamese media news, focusing on its impact on content production. Using media framing theory, the research analyzes news articles from 17 major Vietnamese media outlets published between 2023 and 2024. The analysis reveals a predominantly neutral framing of AI (40 %), with emphasis on its role in enhancing content production speed and efficiency through technologies like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Vbee. While acknowledging AI's potential to improve creativity and facilitate digital transformation, the study also identifies key challenges. These include technological limitations, ethical concerns surrounding potential misuse, and the necessity for a skilled workforce to utilize AI effectively. This pioneering research provides valuable insights into how AI is portrayed within Vietnamese media under an authoritarian context, advocating for a balanced journalistic approach that considers both the AI benefits and the ethical and practical challenges associated with AI integration. • Analyzed 30 articles on AI in Vietnamese journalism from 17 state-run media outlets. • AI in Vietnamese media: mostly neutral framing. • Focus on AI boosting content creation efficiency and Challenges related to the tech limits, ethics, skilled workforce. • Pioneering study in an authoritarian context. • Advocates of balanced AI journalism in Vietnam.