PRACTICE OF USING GENERATIVE AI ALGORITHMS TO CREATE VISUAL CONTENT IN REGIONAL MEDIA

The article describes the practices of integrating generative artificial intelligence technologies into media production using the example of the regional media industry in the Altai Territory. The empirical base was formed by the materials of the regional news agency “Tolk”, selected due to the open policy of the editorial office regarding testing AI tools. As a result of the study, three key practices were identified and described: the generation of illustrations for the visualization of hypothetical and abstract scenarios, situational visualization in the case of a shortage of operational photographic materials, and the automated development of infographics. It has been established that the generated content primarily serves an illustrative function and undergoes mandatory editorial review, reflecting the emerging ethical approach to the adaptation of technology. The results suggest that the experience of regional media can be viewed as a practice of controlled innovation implementation, where AI technology addresses the operational challenges of media production.