Expert Interviews in 2026: Are You Ready?

ANALYSIS: The Evolving Art of Interviews with Experts in 2026

The news cycle in 2026 moves faster than ever. Getting ahead of the story – and getting it right – depends on accessing expert insights quickly and effectively. But are traditional methods of securing interviews with experts still viable, or have they been superseded by new technologies and approaches? It’s a question every newsroom in the country is grappling with.

The Rise of AI-Powered Expert Sourcing

Remember the days of frantically Googling for experts, cold-calling universities, and sifting through outdated directories? I certainly do. At the Atlanta Journal-Constitution back in 2022, finding a qualified expert on, say, the impact of rising sea levels on Savannah’s coastal communities could take an entire afternoon. Now, thanks to AI-powered platforms, that’s a task that takes mere minutes.

Services like ExpertConnect and SourceFinder utilize sophisticated algorithms to match journalists with experts based on their specific needs. These platforms analyze publication histories, research papers, and even social media activity to identify the most knowledgeable and articulate voices on any given topic. A Pew Research Center study found that AI-assisted sourcing reduced the average time to secure an expert interview by 78% between 2023 and 2025.

The benefits are clear: faster turnaround times, access to a wider range of experts, and improved accuracy. The downside? Over-reliance on these platforms can lead to a homogenization of voices, with certain “go-to” experts dominating the news cycle. It’s up to journalists to ensure they’re still seeking out diverse perspectives and challenging conventional wisdom.

The Deepfake Dilemma: Trust, But Verify

The proliferation of deepfakes has cast a long shadow over the news industry. It’s no longer enough to simply trust that the person you’re interviewing is who they say they are. Sophisticated deepfake technology can now convincingly mimic voices, facial expressions, and even mannerisms, making it virtually impossible to detect with the naked eye.

This is where deepfake detection software comes in. Tools like FaceGuard and RealTalk analyze video and audio recordings for subtle inconsistencies and anomalies that betray the presence of artificial manipulation. Most major news organizations now require all expert interviews to undergo this verification process before publication or broadcast. Some, like CNN, even employ dedicated “reality editors” whose sole job is to vet the authenticity of sources. According to Reuters, the use of deepfake detection software increased by 400% in newsrooms between 2023 and 2025.

Here’s what nobody tells you: even the best deepfake detection software isn’t foolproof. It’s crucial to combine technological verification with old-fashioned journalistic skepticism. Cross-reference information, verify credentials, and always be wary of sources who are overly eager to provide information or who seem too good to be true.

The Dominance of Video: Beyond the Soundbite

The shift towards video interviews has been underway for years, but in 2026, it’s virtually complete. The days of phone interviews and email Q&As are largely gone, replaced by video calls conducted via platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and secure, encrypted alternatives like SignalWire.

Why the shift? Video allows viewers to connect with experts on a more personal level, assess their credibility, and pick up on nonverbal cues that might be missed in audio-only formats. It also provides opportunities for visual storytelling, such as incorporating graphics, charts, and other visual aids to enhance the interview. A recent analysis by the Associated Press found that video interviews generate 3x more engagement on social media than text-based articles with quoted experts.

However, the rise of video interviews also presents challenges. Technical glitches, poor lighting, and distracting backgrounds can detract from the interview and undermine the expert’s credibility. It’s essential to provide experts with clear guidelines on how to prepare for a video interview and to offer technical support if needed. We had a client last year who insisted on doing an interview from his car – a terrible idea, obviously. The audio was awful, and the constant movement was incredibly distracting. After that, we created a detailed guide for all our interviewees.

Case Study: The Fulton County Election Audit

The 2024 Fulton County election audit provides a compelling example of how expert interviews are conducted in 2026. When allegations of voter fraud surfaced, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution needed to quickly assemble a team of experts to analyze the data and provide context for readers. Using ExpertConnect, we identified three qualified experts within 15 minutes: a cybersecurity expert from Georgia Tech, a statistical analyst from Emory University, and a former elections official from Cobb County.

Each expert was interviewed via SignalWire to ensure secure communication and prevent potential eavesdropping. Deepfake detection software was used to verify the authenticity of each expert’s video and audio. The interviews were then edited into a series of short video clips that were embedded in an online article. The article also included interactive charts and graphs that allowed readers to explore the election data for themselves. Within 24 hours, the article had generated over 500,000 page views and sparked a national conversation about election security. The entire process, from initial sourcing to publication, took less than 48 hours, a testament to the speed and efficiency of modern expert interviewing techniques. The piece even won a regional award for investigative journalism.

The Ethical Considerations: Bias and Transparency

As the process of securing and conducting expert interviews becomes increasingly automated, it’s crucial to address the ethical considerations that arise. How do we ensure that AI-powered sourcing platforms aren’t perpetuating existing biases in terms of gender, race, and socioeconomic status? How do we maintain transparency about the methods used to verify the authenticity of sources? And how do we protect the privacy of experts who may be targeted by online harassment or abuse? These are all questions that the news industry must grapple with in the years to come.

One solution is to prioritize diversity and inclusion in the design and implementation of AI-powered sourcing platforms. This means actively seeking out experts from underrepresented groups and ensuring that algorithms aren’t trained on biased data. It also means being transparent about the criteria used to select experts and the methods used to verify their authenticity. Furthermore, news organizations should provide support and resources to experts who are targeted by online harassment or abuse. The goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment where all voices can be heard.

The process of conducting interviews with experts has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, driven by technological advancements and evolving audience expectations. By embracing new tools and techniques while remaining mindful of ethical considerations, news organizations can continue to deliver accurate, insightful, and engaging coverage of the issues that matter most.

Looking ahead, the key will be striking a balance between efficiency and rigor. AI can help us find experts faster, but it can’t replace the critical thinking and journalistic judgment that are essential for ensuring accuracy and fairness. Don’t get blinded by the shiny new tools — the fundamentals still matter. And remember to consider AI’s impact on journalism’s soul as you integrate these technologies. To navigate these changes effectively, perhaps AI and skepticism can save us.