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  • Media Metamorphosis - Edition 23 by Hana News

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 23 by Hana News

Exploring AI's Role in Journalism and Publishing: Trust, Risks, and Innovations

Media Metamorphosis - Edition 23 by Hana News

Exploring AI's Role in Journalism and Publishing: Trust, Risks, and Innovations

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The written-by-a-human bit

If you are still playing catchup with Generative AI, I’m afraid now is the time to get your head around “Agentic AI”. The best primer I have seen this week is this post by Sequoia Capital, which explains how OpenAI’s o1 model has added a layer of reasoning. This means the model has more intuition, better understands your intentions, and lays the foundation for more complex problem-solving. This paves the way for AI agents working in teams to improve workflows with limited human supervision.

In a newsroom context, this could involve an AI agent team of data analysts, reporters, and editors tasked with investigating specific data sets or collaborating on research.

Meanwhile, agentic AI will completely re-invent the front page. In 1995, newspapers had to find a digital presence on the web; in 2007, they had to deal with the iPhone, touchscreens, and apps. Within five years, the new frontier will be user interactions with conversational AI agents offering personalised content suggestions and formats. It's time to get your brand ready.

Mark Riley, CEO of Mathison AI

Agentic AI workflow may offer a solution for investigative journalism

Date: 2024-10-14 00:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: Inma 

A fascinating report explores the potential of agentic AI workflows in investigative journalism, suggesting that ChatGPT might not fully meet the needs of reporters. Researchers have crafted a prototype system featuring three AI agents that function in roles similar to data analyst, investigative reporter, and editor, collaboratively generating insightful "tip sheets" from complex datasets. These agents actively engage throughout the stages of questioning, analysis, and execution, showcasing their ability to surface newsworthy leads that may have been overlooked. While this innovative tool holds promise for uncovering valuable insights, the authors emphasize that the heart of journalism — storytelling — remains a uniquely human endeavour. 🌟 

OpenAI Inks Deal With Hearst, Marking Another Major Media Partnership

Date: 2024-10-09 03:56:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: The Hollywood Reporter 

OpenAI has formed a significant partnership with Hearst, one of America’s largest media owners, bringing together content from 20 magazine brands and 40 newspapers, including well-known titles like Esquire and ELLE. This collaboration aims to enhance the quality and reliability of information provided by tools like ChatGPT, as Hearst’s award-winning journalists' work will be utilised with appropriate citations. As the AI landscape evolves, both companies emphasize the importance of trustworthy journalist-created content in shaping the future of digital information. This partnership comes amid ongoing copyright litigation for OpenAI, as they assert that their use of online content falls under fair use protections. 🌟

Generative journalism: The risk of newsrooms experimenting with AI tools that are still unreliable

Date: 2024-10-13 10:06:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: Milwaukee Independent 

As the journalism industry faces immense economic pressures, many journalists are turning to generative AI tools to boost productivity, with a recent survey revealing that nearly 70% have utilized such technology for various tasks. However, the reliance on AI raises ethical concerns about the integrity of journalism, particularly given the tools' tendency to produce unreliable content that could mislead readers. While generative AI may streamline the drafting process, it risks diminishing the unique relationship between journalists and their audience, potentially compromising public trust in an already beleaguered field. Ultimately, embracing AI in journalism invites important questions about the art of storytelling and the essence of human creativity behind impactful narratives. 📰 

Transparency and trust: How news consumers in Canada want AI to be used in journalism

Date: 2024-10-14 19:52:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 6 minutes | Source: Phys.org

A recent study indicates that Canadian news consumers are seeking greater transparency regarding using artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. With concerns about accuracy and misinformation, nearly 85% of respondents want newsrooms to disclose when AI is used, while many feel that relying on AI for journalistic tasks could erode trust. Interestingly, most participants prefer human journalists for news judgment and are less inclined to pay for news perceived as primarily AI-generated. This highlights the critical need for news organizations to establish clear standards and communicate their AI practices to maintain audience trust in an evolving media landscape. 📺 

NPR Joins NAB in Critiquing FCC’s AI Political Ad Regulations

Date: 2024-10-14 09:27:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: Radio Ink 

National Public Radio has become the first major broadcast organization to submit comments to the FCC regarding its proposed rules for disclosing AI-generated content in political advertising. The media organization raised concerns about the broad definition of "AI-generated content," arguing it could impede journalistic integrity and the use of beneficial technologies in public radio. NPR emphasizes the importance of refining the definition to focus on intentionally deceptive content rather than encompassing all uses of computational technology, which often enhances quality without misrepresentation. As discussions around AI in media continue, NPR advocates for regulations that ensure transparency while supporting innovation in journalism. 🌟

Digital digest: Funding the future of media: Why investment in AI is crucial for journalism

Date: 2024-10-12 03:11:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: News Day 

Artificial intelligence is making waves in the journalism industry, offering unprecedented opportunities to streamline newsroom processes, analyze vast amounts of data, and even generate news articles in real-time. While some organizations, like Thomson Reuters and the Associated Press, have successfully integrated AI into their operations, others face challenges, particularly in balancing the technology's capabilities with the irreplaceable qualities of human journalists, such as empathy and investigative skills. In places like Zimbabwe, there's a notable focus on the potential risks of AI rather than its benefits, highlighting a need for tailored tools that fit local contexts. As newsrooms navigate this digital transformation, it's crucial to establish clear policies and invest in training to ensure that AI enhances, rather than overshadows, journalism's artistry. 📰 

How PBS is using AI to improve processes and systems for stations, staff and viewers

Date: 2024-10-11 16:36:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 11 minutes | Source: Current 

As generative AI and spatial computing rapidly evolve, the PBS Innovation Team is embracing these technologies to enhance public media’s content delivery and viewer engagement. The team, established in 2020, focuses on experimentation with AI tools to personalize viewer experiences and improve operational workflows, all while ensuring data privacy and adherence to stringent editorial standards. Exciting use cases include AI-generated content recommendations, automated fundraising models, and innovative storytelling approaches through immersive journalism. As PBS continues to explore the potential of AI, it aims to leverage its capabilities responsibly to elevate its mission of making quality media accessible to all. 🌟 

Publishing

Plotting the Digital Publishing Course

Date: 2024-10-11 23:33:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 8 minutes | Source: Publishers Weekly 

The digital publishing landscape continues to evolve, with new frameworks like AI and enhanced metadata driving the transformation. Companies like KnowledgeWorks Global and Klopotek highlight the necessity of automation while addressing research integrity and content discoverability challenges amid a saturated market. As regulations emerge, particularly concerning accessibility and sustainability, organizations must adapt to maintain relevance and meet compliance standards. Embracing innovative technologies and strategic partnerships will be pivotal for publishers looking to thrive in this dynamic environment. 📚 

Does generative AI and AI for book editing spell the end of professional editors?

Date: 2024-10-13 22:42:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 6 minutes | Source: ArtsHub 

As the world of AI expands, the role of human editors remains indispensable despite the rise of AI-assisted writing and editing tools. While AI can make initial drafts and conduct basic edits, it lacks the nuanced understanding and emotional insight that only a skilled human editor can provide. Editors not only identify grammatical or structural issues, but they also engage deeply with the author’s intent, helping to refine storytelling elements and elicit the profound human experiences that resonate with readers. Ultimately, as AI makes tasks easier, it can never replace the critical eye and empathetic touch that a passionate editor brings to the table. ✍️ 

Elon Musk's childhood fascination with sci-fi motivates his desire to lead the AI race, biographer Walter Isaacson says

Date: 2024-10-07 17:18:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: Business Insider 

Walter Isaacson recently shared insights into Elon Musk's motivations for founding his AI company, xAI, suggesting they stem from Musk's childhood fascination with science fiction themes, particularly the works of Isaac Asimov. Musk’s assertion that he can trust Sam Altman, a fellow co-founder of OpenAI, contrasts with his critical stance toward the latter, leading to a dramatic rivalry fueled by philosophical differences about AI development. Despite concerns about AI’s potential dangers, Musk promotes the notion that a diverse landscape of AI developers could enhance safety through mutual oversight. As Musk embraces this ambitious venture, he aims to unravel the "true nature of the universe," deftly blending his sci-fi inspirations with a vision for future technology. 🌌

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