Journalism AI? Google Working On AI Tool That Will Write News Copies For Journalists

Google is taking a step forward in the world of journalism by exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist journalists in writing news articles. A spokesperson from Google revealed that they are in talks with various news organizations to introduce these AI tools to enhance journalists' work and productivity. Although specific publishers were not named, reports suggest that Google has engaged in discussions with major media outlets like the Washington Post, News Corp (owner of the Wall Street Journal), and the New York Times.

The AI tools, internally known as "Genesis" at Google, aim to offer journalists options for headlines and different writing styles to boost their efficiency and creativity. However, Google emphasizes that these tools are not meant to replace the essential role that journalists play in reporting, creating, and fact-checking their articles.

While some executives who have seen Google's pitch find it unsettling, the company assures that the AI tool is intended to serve as a personal assistant to journalists, helping them with various aspects of their work. Google plans to leverage its AI capabilities, such as those used in Google News, to develop this tool and enable journalists to write news articles more effectively, potentially involving keywords and sensitive information.

This move by Google comes as the Associated Press recently announced its partnership with OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, to explore the use of generative AI in news. Although several platforms and publishers are already using generative AI for content creation, news publications have been cautious due to concerns about generating factually incorrect information and differentiating between human-produced content and AI-generated material.

As Google's AI tool development progresses, some journalists express concerns about potential job loss if AI becomes more prevalent in newsrooms. Nonetheless, companies like Google and Apple are forging ahead with their AI initiatives, and further announcements are expected in this space.

In addition to Google's efforts, Microsoft is also collaborating with OpenAI to enhance Bing Chat, while other major firms, including Adobe, are planning to integrate proprietary generative AI models into their services. While the use of AI in journalism continues to evolve, industry players are focused on harnessing AI's potential while ensuring accurate and reliable news reporting.