Atlantic Beach, N.C.
Nov. 8, 2023
TO THE EDITOR:
Newspapers use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write stories in various ways. Some newspapers are using AI to generate headlines, while others are using AI to write entire articles.
There are several benefits to using AI to write stories. AI can help newspapers to produce more content faster and cheaper than human writers. AI can also help newspapers reach a wider audience, as stories written by AI can be translated into multiple languages. Additionally, AI can be used to write stories about topics that are difficult or dangerous for human journalists to cover.
But, Reader Beware, there are also some challenges associated with using AI to write stories. AI can sometimes generate inaccurate or misleading information. Additionally, AI can be biased. For example, AI may generate stories reinforcing existing stereotypes or prejudices.
The following newspapers use AI to write stories: The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Bloomberg News, The Financial Times, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal, among many others.
The largest newspaper company in the US, Gannett, has been using AI technology to write short versions of stories written by humans. They have also cut staffing.
The CNET money staff have issued so many corrections of articles using AI they had to hit the stop button for now. Incorrect or incomplete information, along with some cases of plagiarism, were at issue.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch decided to let AI write an entire editorial. The bot was instructed to “write a newspaper editorial arguing that artificial intelligence should not be used in journalism.”
The bot wrote that AI “may have some benefits, but it also poses serious threats to the quality, integrity, and ethics of journalism.” “One of the main reasons why AI should not be used in journalism is that it can undermine the credibility and trustworthiness of news,” the AI bot wrote. “AI can generate fake news, manipulate facts, and spread misinformation.”
Forbes recently reported on an investigation by NewsGuard that uncovered nearly 50 websites publishing content created entirely by AI. It describes the articles as “low quality” and “clickbait.” Some appear designed to generate money by showing advertising and affiliate links to readers. Others may have a more wicked purpose, such as spreading disinformation, conspiracy theories, or propaganda.
Biden has recently issued an executive order that aims to monitor and regulate artificial intelligence. The White House said Biden spent a year experimenting and analyzing AI in the Oval Office. For a president who can’t read a teleprompter while speaking, Biden’s understanding of AI brings a new meaning to the term artificial intelligence.
MIKE PFAFF