It is known that Google is experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can write news articles.
Citing the remarks of three experts familiar with the matter, the New York Times (NYT) reported on the 19th (local time) that Google recently demonstrated AI technology to media officials such as the NYT, the Washington Post (WP), and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The tool, internally called “Genesis,” is known to collect detailed current events and generate news content.
In response, Google said Genesis will not only serve as a personal secretary for reporters, but will also help reporters manage their time efficiently because it automates some of the work needed to write articles. It explains that it will rather protect the publishing business from the risk of generative AI.
In response to this situation, a spokesman for News Corporation, the parent company of WSJ, said, “We have a great relationship with Google,” and positively evaluated Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, as he has been working for AI journalism for a long time. However, the NYT and WP have refused to comment on this.
Currently, many media outlets around the world are considering whether to use AI technology in newsrooms. So far, many news outlets, including the NYT, U.S. public radio NPR, and Economic Media Insider, have suggested to their employees that they will potentially seek the use AI.
However, the NYT pointed out that the development of AI technology and Google’s experiment are certainly causing anxiety among reporters who have been writing articles for decades.
AI can help large-scale production of articles, but there are concerns that if journalists do not carefully edit and check articles generated by AI, side effects of spreading false information may occur.
Jeff Jarvis, a professor at New York City University, said, “If this technology can deliver reliable factual information, reporters should use it. If AI is used incorrectly by reporters and media on topics that require subtle differences and cultural understanding, not only the reliability of AI tools but also the reliability of media companies can be undermined.”
