Nature Machine Intelligence, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s42256-026-01315-8
When newsroom artificial intelligence (AI) engages in emotional packaging, it changes how a story feels, shaping whether people approach, trust and share it. As these systems are designed and deployed, AI and behavioural researchers should work together to test whether emotional packaging helps accurate information reach readers, and whether it deepens division.