Boss says BBC News’s reach is ‘defying gravity’ and it must use AI to ‘support and accelerate our growth’

BBC News is to create a new department that will use AI to give the public more personalised content, as its leader said the corporation had been “defying gravity” in reaching audiences amid seismic changes in the way news is consumed.

In a note to staff seen by the Guardian, Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, announced an overhaul of the organisation’s structure, including the creation of a new department, BBC News growth, innovation and AI. It will have a particular focus on under-25s, amid a huge shift to news consumption on smartphones and on platforms such as TikTok.