Google is reportedly testing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can generate news articles. The tech giant has presented the idea to executives at The News He Co-op, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. The new AI tool is designed to act as a journalist’s personal assistant, automating tasks and allowing journalists to focus on more important issues.
Additionally, Google sees this tool as a responsible technology tool to help the media industry overcome and mitigate the negative impacts of AI. The impact of AI on journalism has been a subject of debate, with journalists increasingly worried that machines will take over the jobs of traditional newsrooms. But it also brings new opportunities for the media sector.
AI is already being used in the media industry for content recommendation, data analysis, video subtitling, and transcription. The journalist applies his AI to data journalism, allowing him to analyze large amounts of data and identify key patterns for impactful storytelling. News outlets such as the Associated Press are using AI to generate data-driven sports stories, while Reuters is using AI to cover stock markets and corporate earnings reports.
Outside the US, German tabloid Bild, owned by Axel Springer, plans to replace about 600 jobs with AI. Bild’s editor-in-chief said the functions of editor-in-chief, layout artist, proofreader, publisher and photo editor no longer exist in their traditional form.
While some journalists have expressed fears and anxieties about the impact of AI on their professions, media executives charged with strategy and resources are more open to potential cost savings and efficiency gains. More cooperation between tech companies and the media industry is expected, and we can expect more discussion about the incorporation of AI into newsrooms.
Locally, the use of AI in media is still in its early stages, with a focus on content recommendation and data journalism. However, articles generated by AI have not yet been reported in local media. For local media organizations, investing time and resources in understanding the capabilities of AI and its impact on storytelling is critical. There have been seminars and workshops exploring the basics of AI, but a deeper and more nuanced understanding is essential to effectively adapt to the disruption AI can bring to the press scene.
