As ChatGPT and influencers rise, India’s news diet is getting a digital makeover

India's digital world is buzzing, and it's completely changing how people get their news. Two big players are leading this charge: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the burgeoning world of online influencers. A recent Reuters Institute Digital News Report for 2025 sheds light on these massive shifts, showing how tech adoption and changing tastes are playing out, especially among India's internet-savvy crowd.

Let's talk AI first. The report shows that a good chunk of online Indians is actually getting their news from AI. We're talking about almost one in five (18%) of the surveyed Indian population using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini for news every week. That's a big deal, especially when you compare it to the global average of just 7%. It really highlights how open Indians are to trying out AI for their daily information fix.  

What's more, people in India seem pretty comfortable with AI being involved in news. About 44% of Indian respondents were okay with news mainly put together by AI, as long as there's some human oversight. This is way higher than places like Europe, where only 15% feel that way. It seems many in India see AI not just as a cool new gadget, but as a practical tool. For example, the most popular AI feature among Indians is its ability to "adapt news text to different reading levels." This suggests AI could be a game-changer for making news easier to understand for everyone, especially in a country with so many languages and diverse literacy levels. While global scepticism about AI's trustworthiness in news persists, India appears to be charting its own course, driven by a pragmatic view of AI's usefulness.  

Then there are the influencers, fundamentally altering the traditional news ecosystem. The report points out that most online Indians get their news fix from their smartphones and social media. Platforms like YouTube (55% weekly use), WhatsApp (46%), Instagram (37%), and Facebook (36%) are predominantly utilised for news among the English-speaking survey sample. This digital migration has been conducive for young and relatable content creators and influencers to flourish.

According to the report, many popular YouTubers, who have transitioned to video-based social media platforms, exemplify this trend. Their ability to simplify complex topics or offer alternative viewpoints resonates deeply with a digitally native audience. That said, the report elaborates that legacy news brands in print, as well as commercial and public broadcasters, still enjoy high levels of viewership across the English-speaking survey respondents.

However, this burgeoning influence comes with a significant caveat. The report identifies online influencers and personalities as a "biggest threat worldwide" for false or misleading information. Crucially for India, WhatsApp, a primary news source for many, is cited by more than half (53%) of Indian respondents as the channel posing the "biggest threat" for misinformation- the highest score across all markets. This stark reality underscores a critical challenge: while influencers provide accessible, often relatable and engaging content, their platforms can also be potent hotbeds for unverified or disingenuous narratives. The blurring lines between journalism, activism, and entertainment in this fragmented digital environment demand heightened media literacy and critical engagement from consumers.  

It's important to remember that this report focused on a specific group: younger, English-speaking online Indians. So, while the trends are clear and significant for this demographic, they don't necessarily paint a full picture for the entire, incredibly diverse population of India. A huge part of the country still relies on traditional media or doesn't have internet access.

For India's news industry, these changes are a huge deal. Traditional news outlets, even the big ones, are now competing with digital-only platforms and individual creators for eyeballs. The rise of opinion-led content, often with a partisan slant, challenges the old ways of objective reporting.

As India continues its rapid digital evolution, the interplay between AI and influencers will undoubtedly redefine the future of news. For media organisations, the imperative is clear: embrace technological innovation to enhance accessibility and personalisation, but critically, uphold journalistic integrity and actively combat the spread of misinformation in an increasingly complex and fragmented information ecosystem. The journey ahead will require strategic adaptation, a deep understanding of audience needs, and a steadfast commitment to delivering credible information in a fast-changing digital age.