Monitoring Report | AI and OSINT Tool Use Among Journalists

Data collection period: 18–20 May 2026

Executive Summary

The survey explored the current use of AI and OSINT tools in journalistic practice and identified training needs among participating journalists. Responses indicate that AI tools have become integrated into everyday newsroom workflows, particularly for document analysis, transcription, translation, language editing, background research, and data analysis. OSINT tools are primarily used for source verification, reverse image searching, sanctions checks, geolocation, and investigating individuals or organizations.

Participants generally reported confidence using a small number of tools relevant to their work but expressed interest in developing more advanced OSINT skills. The most frequently mentioned future training needs relate to geolocation, metadata analysis, social media data collection, cross-border investigations, and information operation tracking.

Key Findings

1. AI tools are widely integrated into daily journalistic workflows

Respondents reported using a range of AI-powered tools, including:

• ChatGPT
• Claude
• Gemini
• NotebookLM
• Pinpoint
• Otter.ai
• DeepL
• Google Translate
• FACTory (for monitoring disinformation-related TikTok content)

The most common uses include:

• Document analysis
• Summarising large datasets and document collections
• Background research
• Language editing and grammar checking
• Translation
• Interview transcription
• Organising information
• Supporting data analysis workflows

One respondent highlighted the use of Claude together with Python to accelerate data analysis tasks, while another emphasised NotebookLM’s value when working with large document collections and leaks.

2. OSINT use focuses primarily on verification and investigation

The most frequently mentioned OSINT tools and methods include:

• Reverse image search
• Google Earth and Google Maps
• PimEyes
• OpenSanctions
• Aleph
• FotoForensics
• Meta Content Library
• Whois services
• Web archives (Wayback Machine)
• Telegram monitoring tools
• TGStat
• Public registries and government databases

Common applications include:

• Identifying original sources of images and videos
• Verifying visual content
• Geolocation
• Investigating individuals and organisations
• Sanctions screening
• Mapping networks and connections
• Tracking disinformation content across platforms

Reverse image search emerged as the most consistently used OSINT technique across respondents.

3. AI is primarily used as a productivity and efficiency tool

Across responses, AI was described as:

• A time-saving tool
• A support mechanism for handling large amounts of information
• A way to automate repetitive tasks such as transcription and translation
• A tool for quickly understanding unfamiliar concepts

Importantly, respondents described using AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for journalistic judgement. Several specifically noted using tools only for analysis of uploaded documents or for obtaining contextual information.

Training Needs Identified

Several common themes emerged regarding future capacity-building needs.

High-priority topics

Geolocation and advanced OSINT

Participants expressed interest in:

• Geolocation techniques
• Advanced location verification
• Identifying places from visual clues
• Cross-platform verification workflows

Cross-border investigations

Respondents would like more training on:

• Researching individuals and companies internationally
• Understanding ownership structures across jurisdictions
• Databases for investigations outside the European Union
• Mapping connections between legal entities

Metadata analysis

Several respondents identified metadata as an area where they would benefit from additional knowledge and practical skills.

Social media investigations

Interest was expressed in:

• Social media data collection
• Platform monitoring
• Scraping methodologies
• Tracking coordinated campaigns and information operations

Information operation analysis

Participants highlighted a need to better understand:

• Timeline reconstruction
• Cross-platform information flows
• Detection of coordinated influence activities

Observations

Different levels of expertise

The responses suggest varying levels of experience among participants:

• Senior investigative journalists tend to have established workflows and prefer developing deeper expertise in a smaller number of tools.
• Early-career journalists are interested in broader exposure to AI and OSINT tools and would welcome introductory training.

This indicates that future training programmes may benefit from separate beginner and advanced tracks.

Preference for practical applications

Participants consistently focused on tools that solve concrete journalistic challenges rather than experimental technologies. Training that includes real case studies, investigations, and newsroom scenarios is therefore likely to generate the highest engagement.