Media Metamorphosis - Edition 13

AI's Impact: Journalism, Misinformation, and the Search Wars

Author

Mark Riley
August 06, 2024

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 13

AI's Impact: Journalism, Misinformation, and the Search Wars by HANA News

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here

  • Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are integrating AI into search engines to enhance user experiences.

  • New entrants like Perplexity emphasise revenue-sharing with media outlets to preserve publisher interests.

  • Concerns over content ownership and traditional media traffic arise, with journalists from The Atlantic advocating for job protections amidst deals allowing AI access to their work.

  • Swiss radio station Radio Couleur 3 experiments with an entirely AI-generated broadcast, prompting mixed audience reactions about human connection versus technology.

  • Buzzfeed enforces trademark rights against an AI aggregator.

  • Google's ad campaign portrayal of AI raises questions about the authenticity of human expression.

  • Journalists focus on audience-centred content amidst industry challenges.

  • Misinformation about recent tragedies highlights social media’s role in public discourse and the urgent need for accountability.

The AI Search War Has Begun - The Atlantic

Date: 2024-07-30 19:44:01 | Reading Time: Reading time: 7 minutes | Source: The Atlantic 

As the generative AI race heats up, tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI merge AI capabilities with search engines, aiming for more intuitive and immediate user experiences. New players like Perplexity lead the charge by leveraging revenue-sharing deals with media outlets, ensuring publishers reap benefits when their content is cited in AI-generated answers. However, this evolving landscape raises concerns over content ownership and the potential for AI to undercut traditional media traffic. With publishers now at a crossroads, the balance of power may shift significantly as they negotiate the value of their content in this AI-driven future. 🤖

‘A magazine made by humans’: Atlantic writers push back on AI - The Washington Post

Date: 2024-08-03 02:42:38 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: The Washington Post 

In a significant move, Atlantic staffers have urged the company to prioritize job protections amid its new licensing deal with OpenAI, which allows the tech firm access to the magazine’s archives for AI tool training. Nearly 60 journalists, including prominent names, expressed concerns about the potential risks AI poses to their roles and the quality of journalism, calling on Atlantic's leadership to integrate AI safeguards into their union contract negotiations. The Atlantic claims to support the essence of human-led journalism. Yet, the union members are fighting to ensure their voices are heard in the evolving media landscape dominated by AI. As the conversation around AI in journalism intensifies, Atlantic writers seek to shape how their work interacts with these new technologies, advocating for a collaborative rather than a replacement approach. 📚

The day AI clones took over a Swiss radio station - Reuters Institute

Date: 2024-08-01 15:55:48 | Reading Time: Reading time: 7 minutes | Source: Reuters Institute 

In a groundbreaking experiment, Radio Couleur 3 in Switzerland transformed its entire broadcasting day on April 27, 2023, using AI-generated content, including voices cloned from real hosts and AI-composed music. While the audience expressed a mix of fascination and concern—some impressed with the technology and others longing for human involvement—the initiative sparked a meaningful dialogue about the future of AI in radio. As the station navigates the integration of AI into its operations, it has committed to balancing technology with the authentic human connection that audiences crave. This experiment showcased AI's capabilities and opened the door to ongoing discussions about its role in creative industries. 🎙️

Buzzfeed sends ‘cease and desist’ letter over AI aggregator’s logo - Press Gazette

Date: 2024-08-01 15:38:15 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: Press Gazette 

Buzzfeed has sent a cease and desist letter to Trending Now, an AI news aggregator, over alleged logo copyright infringement. The issue arose after Trending Now's logo, featuring a circular design with an arrow, sparked concerns due to its resemblance to Buzzfeed's trademarked logo. Trending Now's managing director acknowledged the similarity and emphasized the importance of brand identity, stating that they strive for clarity in their news sourcing. The matter has since been resolved by cropping the logo screenshots in their articles. 📰

Thank God Google Pulled That Awful and Depressing AI Ad - Mother Jones

Date: 2024-08-03 17:20:13 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: Mother Jones 

In a recent ad campaign for Google's new AI chatbot, Gemini, a heart-wrenching narrative unfolds as a father seeks help for his daughter to write a fan letter to her idol, American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The ad, titled "Dear Sydney," has sparked widespread criticism for its portrayal of technology replacing genuine human interactions, leaving viewers feeling soulless and disheartened. Many have noted the arrogance of promoting AI at the expense of real creativity and emotional connection, echoing sentiments from a similar Apple ad that was pulled after backlash. As we navigate this changing landscape, it's important to consider the value of authentic human expression in a world increasingly leaning on artificial intelligence. 🤖

Toward an audience-centric future for journalism - International Journalists' Network

Date: 2024-08-01 17:17:09 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: International Journalists' Network 

In the face of ongoing challenges, including mass layoffs and a decline in media trust, journalists actively seek to reshape the industry by prioritizing audiences. During a recent session, ICFJ Knight Fellow Mattia Peretti emphasized the need for journalism to adapt and refocus on delivering meaningful, audience-centric content that meets diverse needs. Collaborating with fellow media professionals, innovative strategies, like Gannett's QR code coasters in local bars, are being explored to engage with audiences in new and impactful ways. As the media landscape evolves, there's a growing belief that prioritizing audience interests can enhance journalism's quality and address financial struggles within the industry. 🌟

Misinformation about Southport attack suspect spreads on social media - The Guardian

Date: 2024-07-30 22:33:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: The Guardian 

In the aftermath of a tragic stabbing that claimed the lives of three children in Southport, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for caution against the rampant misinformation spreading across social media platforms. As the investigation focuses on a 17-year-old suspect from Lancashire, far-right activists have exploited the incident, fueling division and conspiracy theories that have gone viral. Cooper emphasized the need for social media companies to take responsibility as misleading narratives circulate, often amplified by self-styled influencers and conspiracy theorists. This situation underscores the critical role of misinformation in shaping public discourse, especially in times of tragedy, prompting urgent questions about the responsible management of content on these platforms. 📱

What Project 2025 says about AI, antitrust, and public radio | The TechTank Podcast - Brookings Institution

Date: 2024-08-05 13:16:46 | Reading Time: Reading time: 1 minutes | Source: Brookings Institution 

As the elections draw closer, Project 2025—a major initiative from the Heritage Foundation—has gained significant attention. This ambitious project unites 400 scholars to craft a comprehensive 900-page policy agenda to reshape American policy across various sectors. In a recent episode of the TechTank Podcast, co-host Darrell West and COMPASS fellow Roxana Muenster delve into the implications of Project 2025 on technology and media policy, examining how this agenda might influence both the industry and voters. Tune in to hear their insightful discussion! 📻

How TikTok bots and AI have powered a resurgence in UK far-right violence - The Guardian

Date: 2024-08-02 04:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: The Guardian 

In a stark reflection of the unsettling climate following the tragic Southport stabbing attack that claimed the lives of three children, social media has become a breeding ground for far-right misinformation. An alarming tweet featuring an AI-generated image calling for the protection of children went viral, highlighting the emergence of new technologies being exploited by extremists to fuel further division and mobilize protests across the UK. Experts warn that these AI tools enable anyone to create inflammatory content, intensifying the risk of violence reminiscent of previous far-right movements. As tensions rise, communities are urged to remain vigilant and promote accurate information. 🛡️

This newsletter was partly curated and summarised by AI agents, who can make mistakes. Check all important information.

For any issues or inaccuracies, please notify us here