Local News Publishers Adopt AI at Rising Rate
A survey of 85 Australian news publishers finds AI use climbing from 51% in 2025 to 73% in 2026.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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The Local & Independent News Association surveyed 85 Australian news publishers, which collectively operate 118 news services, on their use of artificial intelligence. Of respondents, 73% reported using AI in their organisation in 2026, up from 51% in 2025.
Why it matters
The rise in AI adoption reflects how smaller news organisations are turning to the technology to manage workloads with limited staff and budgets. The findings give a snapshot of how independent local newsrooms are integrating AI into their operations.
Among AI users, 86% apply the technology to research, 82% to administrative or operational tasks, 40% to image generation and 16% to content generation. The survey does not report the accuracy or error rates of these tools in newsroom use.
The players
Local & Independent News Association (LINA)
An Australian industry body representing local and independent news publishers, which conducted the survey of its member organisations.
The details
Research is the most common use of AI among respondents who use it, followed by administrative and operational tasks. Image generation and content generation are used by smaller shares of AI-using publishers. Among 25 long-running respondents, median annual revenue rose from $169,000 in 2025 to $189,000 in 2026, and median full-time equivalent staff rose from 1.3 to 2.0.
Timeline
2023: LINA founded and the long-running comparison period begins.
2025: AI use stands at 51% among respondents.
2026: Survey reports 73% AI use alongside revenue and staffing growth.
Industry Dynamics
The 2026 results continue LINA's annual tracking from 2023, which allows year-on-year comparison of independent publishers. The series shows AI adoption rising alongside modest growth in revenue and staffing among the long-running respondents.
For readers, the trend means local news outlets may increasingly use AI tools in producing and running their services. The survey does not indicate how this will change the content or pricing readers encounter.
The takeaway
Independent local publishers are adopting AI faster while keeping small teams, so the effect on newsroom quality is worth tracking as adoption continues. Readers can watch whether these tools change the local stories they receive.
Further reading
For broader coverage of how newsrooms and other industries are deploying the technology, see Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mumbrella.
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