Google tests AI to write news and help journalists – 07/20/2023 – Market

Google is exploring using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write news and assist journalists, a spokesman said Wednesday night. According to him, the company also dialogues with vehicles to use these resources.

The spokesman did not mention the media outlets involved, but, according to the New York Times, Google has held discussions with the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal’s owner group, News Corp, and even the NYT itself, among others.

These AI tools could help journalists with headline choices or different writing styles, for example, in a way that increases work and productivity. The representative said the company is in the early stages of exploring ideas.

“These tools are not intended to and cannot replace the essential role that journalists play in reporting, creating and fact-checking their articles.”

However, some executives who saw Google’s proposal described it as disturbing, the NYT said, adding that the executives asked not to be identified. The AI ​​tool presented is called “Genesis” internally, according to the NYT, citing sources familiar with the matter.

When contacted, a News Corp spokesperson declined to comment on the NYT story or the AI ​​tool, but said the communications group has an excellent relationship with Google and that they appreciate Sundar Pichai, CEO’s, long-term commitment to journalism.

The NYT and Washington Post have yet to respond.

The news comes days after The Associated Press announced a partnership with OpenAI, owner of ChatGPT, to explore the use of generative AI in news, a deal that could set a precedent for similar partnerships across industries.

Some media outlets are already using generative AI for their content, but news publications have been slow to adopt the technology due to concerns about its tendency to generate factually incorrect information, as well as the challenges in differentiating human-produced content from computer-produced content.