Google, which is testing a product that uses artificial intelligence technology to create news stories, is the owner of The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, according to three people familiar with the matter. It sells to news outlets such as News Corp.
The tool, known internally under the working title of “Genesis,” can capture information such as details of current events and generate news copy, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing the product. .
One of the three people familiar with the product said Google believes it could act as a kind of personal assistant for journalists, automating some tasks and freeing up time for others. and said it sees the product as a responsible technology that can help steer the publishing industry.Keeping the industry away from the pitfalls of generative AI
Some executives who saw Google’s pitch, asking for anonymity to discuss confidential matters, said it was alarming. The two said that the effort put into producing accurate and artistic news stories seemed to be taken for granted.
A Google spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. The Times and Post declined to comment.
A News Corp spokesperson said in a statement, referring to Google’s CEO, “We have a great relationship with Google and appreciate Sundar Pichai’s long-term commitment to journalism. there are,” he said.
Jeff Jarvis, a professor of journalism and media commentator, said there are potential upsides and downsides to Google’s new tools like the one above.
“Journalists should use this tool if it can reliably deliver factual information,” said Jarvis, director of the Tonite Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York. rice field.
“On the other hand, abuse of this tool by journalists and news outlets on topics that require nuance and cultural understanding could undermine not only the tool but also the credibility of the news outlets that use it. There is,” he continued. ”
News outlets around the world are grappling with whether to use artificial intelligence tools in their newsrooms. Many companies, including The Times, NPR, and Insider, are seeking ways to responsibly apply AI to the high-stakes news arena, where seconds and accuracy are paramount. Notify employees that you intend to consider potential uses.
But Google’s new tools are sure to stir fears even among journalists who have written their own stories for centuries. Some news outlets, such as the Associated Press, have long used AI to generate stories about things like corporate earnings reports, but the service’s coverage remains small compared to articles written by journalists.
Artificial intelligence could change this situation, allowing users to create a wider range of articles, spreading misinformation if not edited and checked carefully, affecting perceptions of traditionally written articles. may give
While Google is working at breakneck speed to develop and deploy generative AI, the technology also poses some challenges for the advertising giant. While Google has traditionally been responsible for organizing information and sending users to publishers’ websites to read more, tools like its chatbot Bard offer fact-based claims. but it is sometimes inaccurate and does not send traffic to more authoritative sources such as news publishers.
The technology comes as governments around the world ask Google to give more of its advertising revenue to news outlets. After the Australian government tried to force Google to negotiate with publishers over payments in 2021, the company further stepped up its partnerships with international news outlets under its News Showcase program.
Publishers and other content creators have already criticized Google and other big AI companies for using decades of articles and posts to train AI systems without compensating publishers. ing. News outlets such as NBC News and The Times have taken a stand against AI siphoning data without permission.
