Google experiments with AI for news writing – Breaking News
Artificial Intelligence Technology for Journalism Presented to News Corp Executives: A New Era for Newsrooms?
In a recent report by The New York Times, it has been revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) technology designed to aid journalists has been shared with the executives of News Corp, the owner of respected news outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Known as “Genesis” by Google, this innovative technology can generate news articles from various sources, including real-time events.
The main objective of “Genesis” is to serve as a “personal assistant” for journalists, giving them more time to focus on important news stories. By automatically drafting news texts using data provided to it, this AI tool can potentially revolutionize the way news reports are created.
However, during the presentation of Genesis, some executives expressed discomfort, claiming that certain important aspects necessary for producing accurate news were overlooked. In response, Google spokesperson Jenn Crider emphasized that the intention of Genesis is not to replace the crucial role of journalists, but rather to facilitate their work by providing timely and factual information.
Jeff Jarvis, a professor at the City University of New York, acknowledged the potential benefits and drawbacks of Google’s new technology. While he suggested that journalists should embrace AI if it can consistently present factual information, he also warned that the reliance on such technology might compromise the reliability and cultural understanding that news organizations bring to their reporting.
The debate surrounding the integration of AI technologies in newsrooms is not limited to News Corp. Numerous news organizations worldwide, including The New York Times, NPR, and Insider, have announced plans to explore the responsible application of AI in their journalistic endeavors. For instance, the Associated Press (AP) has long been utilizing AI to report on corporate reports, and now they plan to share their news archive with the AI model Chat GPT.
Nevertheless, not all news organizations are on board with AI. NBC News and The Times have expressed concerns about artificial intelligence recording their data without permission, highlighting potential privacy and ethical implications.
As newsrooms continue to grapple with the opportunities and challenges posed by AI technology, only time will tell whether this new era of AI-assisted journalism will reshape the industry for the better or if it will raise further questions about the future of trustworthy reporting.
