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  • Media Metamorphosis - Edition 22 by HANA News

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 22 by HANA News

AI Innovations Transforming Journalism: Insights & Tools

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 22 by HANA News

AI Innovations Transforming Journalism: Insights & Tools

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The written-by-a-human bit:

Is Microsoft Copilot finally getting its act together? I am not so sure. Mustafa Suleyman published his vision for a new companion to accompany you to your doctor’s appointment and help plan your child’s birthday party. It feels like the reincarnation of Suleyman’s first attempt at a personal bot/companion, Pi at Inflection AI. I was an early fan of Pi, but the novelty soon wore off. And who wants a sycophantic, emotional, voice-activated AI intern on their desktop?

But more significantly for publishers, the next iteration includes a foray into daily news summaries, “Copilot Daily”.

“Copilot Daily: Copilot Daily helps you kick off your morning with a summary of news and weather, all read in your favorite Copilot Voice, with more options like reminders of what’s coming soon. It’s an antidote for that familiar feeling of information overload. Clean, simple and easy to digest. Copilot Daily will only pull from authorized content sources. We are working with partners such as Reuters, Axel Springer, Hearst Magazines, USA TODAY Network and Financial Times, and plan to add more sources over time. We’ll also add additional personalization and controls in Copilot Daily over time.” Microsoft Corporate Blog

Read a ZDNet review here

This isn’t a huge leap from the current smart speaker summaries, but it will be interesting to see how it evolves depending on how Microsoft rewards publishers for participating. It seems limited to the existing OpenAI roster of publishing deals but could expand to MSN syndicated content.

Meanwhile, according to our clients, Copilot continues to be underwhelming, with poor uptake and retention. Many prefer more bespoke RAG systems that can be trained and fine-tuned using dedicated, ring-fenced sources of knowledge.

Similarly, smart publishers would be better off owning their own AI value chain, from embeddings to summaries to distribution to attribution, for example, by building their own niche AI-powered summaries that can be injected into corporate workflows via API for a fee.

Mark Riley, CEO of Mathison AI

This week’s best AI and media articles:

Media leaders talk Big Tech, the AI future, and journalism

Date: 2024-10-03 12:37:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 9 minutes | Source: cjr.org

At a recent event hosted by Columbia Journalism School, media leaders discussed the evolving relationship between news publishers and tech platforms, particularly in light of generative AI. With ongoing debates around licensing deals and copyright issues, it was highlighted that companies like Google and Meta are often reluctant to compensate news organizations despite prior progress made in countries like Australia and Canada. As publishers increasingly turn to short-term deals with AI firms, the conversation revolves around whether such agreements are genuinely beneficial or merely a quick fix amidst broader industry challenges. The gathering underscored the pressing need for regulatory intervention as journalism and large tech dynamics continue to shift rapidly. 🤖 

How The New York Times uses A.I. for journalism

Date: 2024-10-07 21:06:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 1 minutes | Source: The New York Times 

As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, its role in technology journalism is evolving in exciting ways. Journalists are now leveraging machine-learning models to sift through massive data sets for investigative reporting, including using A.I. tools to analyze satellite imagery for insights like bomb craters. Additionally, machine learning helps tailor article recommendations based on readers' preferences and habits, making content discovery a more personalized experience. With A.I. enhancing both the accuracy and efficiency of reporting, the future of journalism looks promising! 🤖 

Hacking Generative AI for Fun and Profit

Date: 2024-10-02 18:05:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: Wired 

At the recent Sundai Club generative AI hackathon near MIT, participants brainstormed innovative tools to help journalists navigate the ever-expanding world of AI research. The team ultimately developed a prototype named AI News Hound, which uses advanced word embeddings to connect relevant research papers from Arxiv with discussions on platforms like Reddit and Google News. This tool aims to support reporters in uncovering significant developments in AI, highlighting the potential of generative AI to enhance information discovery in journalism. 📰 

The Independent set to double profit and revenue over last five years with help from AI projects

Date: 2024-10-08 08:58:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 7 minutes | Source: Press Gazette 

Independent Digital News Media has reported a significant 82% increase in operating profit for 2023, reaching £3.5 million across a new 15-month reporting period, although revenue remained relatively flat at £56 million. CEO Christian Broughton highlighted strong growth from U.S. expansion, e-commerce, and its video arm, as the company diversifies its revenue streams beyond traditional advertising. With a 40% increase in editorial staff and ongoing innovations in AI, such as enhanced translation capabilities, the Independent is solidifying its presence in the competitive news landscape. As Broughton aptly puts it, this is an exciting time for the outlet, reflecting their commitment to quality journalism and sustainable growth. 📈 

Dappier, Morgan Murphy Media Forge AI Partnership, Revolutionizing Local Media

Date: 2024-10-02 16:11:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: TV Technology 

In a groundbreaking partnership, AI content-syndication expert Dappier is teaming up with Morgan Murphy Media to revolutionize the monetization of local news. This collaboration aims to harness the evolving media landscape, where AI-driven queries are becoming essential for generating ad revenue. Emphasizing the potential economic impact, Dappier highlights a projected AI media market value nearing $100 billion by 2030. By enabling local media to embed AI solutions seamlessly, this initiative promises to enhance digital offerings and create new revenue streams, tapping into the increasing demand for real-time insights and smarter search functionalities. 🚀 

Fact-Checking on Social Media: How to Avoid Spreading Viral Misinformation and Spot AI Images

Date: 2024-10-06 02:06:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 6 minutes | Source: arkvalleyvoice 

As misinformation continues to thrive, particularly in the wake of the upcoming presidential debates, voters and politicians alike must hone their fact-checking skills before sharing information online. With the rise of AI-generated content and emotionally charged posts, it's more important than ever to pause and verify claims, ensuring that the information shared is accurate and credible. Relying on reputable sources and checking for the author’s credentials can help counteract the spread of misinformation. Let's stay informed and responsible consumers of information! 🕵️‍♀️ 

Editor of Winnipeg Free Press: Your opinions on AI in journalism, and we go for a test drive

Date: 2024-10-03 02:37:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: Winnipeg Free Press 

In a rather amusing turn of events, an AI experiment intended to deliver breezy weather forecasts went haywire, leaving inaccuracies and clichés in its wake. This prompted a return to traditional human journalism for weather reporting, ensuring accuracy and personal touch. Meanwhile, a recent survey revealed that while many appreciate the potential of AI in journalism for efficiency and drafting assistance, an overwhelming majority emphasized the necessity of human oversight to maintain trust and quality in news reporting. As we explore the intersection of technology and journalism, transparency and editorial integrity remain paramount to our readers. ☀️ 

Unplug the AI Hype Machine To Achieve Stronger Media Sales

Date: 2024-10-07 00:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: RBR 

Are you ready to cut through the noise surrounding artificial intelligence? An intriguing event called "AI Unplugged" at the upcoming Forecast 2025 conference promises to deliver practical insights on how AI is transforming the radio and television industries. Best-selling author Matt Britton will guide executives through the specifics of AI's impact on programming and advertising, demonstrating how to leverage these technologies to boost revenue and enhance audience engagement. Join industry leaders at this premier gathering at the Harvard Club in New York City, and prepare to connect with the future of broadcasting! 📡 

Media Metamorphosis sponsor 1440 Media

Daily News for Curious Minds

“I stopped watching the news, so sick of the bias. Was searching for an alternative that would just tell me WHAT happened, with NO editorializing. I found it. It’s called 1440. It assumes you are smart enough to form your own opinions.”

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

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