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  • MediaMorph Edition 35 - by HANA News

MediaMorph Edition 35 - by HANA News

Are you ready for AGI?

MediaMorph Edition 35 - by HANA News

Are you ready for AGI?

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The written-by-a-human bit

As the spotlight moves from Washington to Davos, the key theme of the agenda is “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age.” Delegates would do well to attend tomorrow's session on “The Dawn of Artificial General Intelligence” with Andrew Ng, Yoshua Bengi, and others. 

If you are still catching up with GenAI and AgenticAI, buckle up. We are on track for AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) this year.

AGI is a theoretical form of artificial intelligence that matches or surpasses human cognitive capabilities across various tasks. If ChatGPT is a high-performing intern, AGI is a room full of Ph.D.s. Artificial Expert Intelligence may be a better name. 

The implications for highly paid management consultants are stark, as is the future of 80% of AI startups that have built a manual layer on top of ChatGPT

Rumours are swirling that OpenAI has built ChatGPT5 but are keeping it to themselves for cost and contractual reasons.

This raises enormous opportunities and challenges for media and publishing companies. What does an AGI-powered newsroom look like? How can strategy be changed if AGI is better informed and can see around corners? What will subscribers do if they have access to AGI-generated news? How will academic publishers score AGI-written papers?

One thing will remain constant: the requirement for human journalists in the room - no one wants to read about the atmosphere in the Capitol One Arena by a transcribing bot.

Mark Riley, CEO of Mathison AI

AI and Media and Journalism

OpenAI to fund four new Axios Local newsrooms

Axios - 

Axios has partnered with OpenAI to enhance ChatGPT's responses by incorporating its journalism and reporting content. The goal is to provide users with more accurate and timely information. This collaboration underscores the evolving relationship between AI and journalism, which work together to deliver richer insights to audiences.

Read more at Axios (1 min)

Partnering with Axios expands OpenAI’s work with the news industry

Openai - 

Publishers are partnering with OpenAI to integrate AI tools that enhance content creation, streamline workflows, and boost audience engagement. These initiatives improve journalism quality and foster a collaborative approach to tackling challenges in the media landscape.

Read more at Openai (1 min)

Key AI concepts to grasp in a new hybrid journalism era: transparency, autonomy, and authorship

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism - 

As AI tools increasingly permeate journalism, Austria Presse Agentur's exploration highlights challenges around transparency, authorship, and the potential erosion of trust. A proposed multi-layered disclosure approach aims to balance AI involvement with human oversight, fostering credibility in an evolving media landscape.

Read more at Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (7 mins)

Echoes & Algorithms: Stories Beyond the Code — Weave News

Weave News - January 15, 2025

The latest instalment of Echoes & Algorithms examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and grassroots journalism, highlighting AI's potential to enhance storytelling while raising ethical concerns about bias and authenticity. As it explores practical implications for journalists, the piece emphasizes the importance of trust, inclusivity, and social justice in navigating this evolving landscape.

Read more at Weave News (5 mins)

"Generative AI is an Existential Threat to Journalism"

Deutsche Welle - January 15, 2025

Danielle Coffey of the News/Media Alliance warns that generative AI's use of journalistic content without compensation threatens the media industry, as it undermines the investment required for quality journalism. While licensing agreements show progress, she stresses the need for sustainable legal rights to ensure fair market value and protect publishers’ financial viability amid a challenging regulatory environment.

Read more at Deutsche Welle (4 mins)

‘The Evergreen’: The case of the zombie newspaper in Southern Oregon

Opb - January 13, 2025

The Ashland Daily Tidings, a defunct Southern Oregon newspaper, is generating daily articles through AI on its website, raising ethical concerns about authenticity in journalism. Investigations reveal that the content closely mimics familiar writing styles, prompting questions about trust and the implications of AI in news consumption.

Read more at Opb (1 min)

That Sports News Story You Clicked on Could Be AI Slop

WIRED - January 15, 2025

A recent analysis by DoubleVerify has uncovered a troubling rise in fraudulent sports news websites that mimic established brands like BBC and ESPN. These websites often use plagiarized or AI-generated content to mislead readers. This surge, dubbed "Synthetic Echo," highlights the urgent need for vigilance among consumers as these deceptive platforms increasingly siphon ad revenue from legitimate media outlets.

Read more at WIRED (6 mins)

Shelly Palmer - Can AI and journalism coexist profitably?

SaskToday.ca - January 18, 2025

This week, Shelly Palmer highlights transformative tech insights from CES 2025, discusses relief efforts for the Los Angeles wildfires, and explores the evolving intersection of AI and journalism. Notable innovations include OpenAI's new ChatGPT feature, Adobe's Firefly Bulk Create tool, and significant advancements in smart home devices and wearable technology presented at the event.

Read more at SaskToday.ca (3 mins)

AI and Academic Publishing

Academic Publishing: Springer Nature Adds another Manuscript Tool

Publishingperspectives - 

Springer Nature has launched an AI-driven tool to streamline the article submission process for researchers, offering tailored support and guidance to enhance the quality of submissions. This innovative addition underscores the publishing industry's shift towards leveraging artificial intelligence to facilitate more efficient research dissemination.

Read more at Publishingperspectives (1 min)

Why one of the world’s largest digital research libraries advocates for open access — even in the face of AI

UCnet - January 17, 2025

The California Digital Library and Authors Alliance raise alarms over lucrative licensing deals between academic publishers and AI companies. These deals exploit authors' rights and restrict access to research behind paywalls. The Alliance advocates for open-access publishing as a solution that promotes transparency, supports fair use, and aligns with the mission of advancing public knowledge.

Read more at UCnet (6 mins)

Why Editors At Scientific Journals Are Resigning En Masse

Science Friday - January 17, 2025

Editors at scientific journals are resigning en masse, with at least 20 mass resignations reported since 2023, according to Retraction Watch. This trend is linked to publishers reducing editorial staff, increasing paper submissions, and charging high publication fees. The most recent resignation occurred at the Journal of Human Evolution in late 2024, where nearly the entire editorial board, including both co-editors in chief, quit. These resignations raise concerns about the future of academic publishing and whether the current system is sustainable, prompting discussions with experts like Dr. Andrea Taylor and Ivan Oransky.

Read more at Science Friday (4 mins)

Reviewer Credits and Global Campus launch partnership

Research Information - January 14, 2025

Reviewer Credits has teamed up with Global Campus to enhance the peer review process in scientific publishing by integrating AI-driven tools for identifying and connecting with relevant reviewers. This partnership aims to boost the visibility of peer review contributions while empowering academic communities through improved collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Read more at Research Information (2 mins)

Fancy publishing 'nonsense' and sabotaging your fellow scientists?

New Scientist - January 15, 2025

"Publish or Perish," a satirical card game by Max Hui Bai, immerses players in the cutthroat world of academic publishing, where they can publish papers and employ dubious tactics for success, raising over $292,000 on Kickstarter. Meanwhile, Meta is revamping its AI-generated profiles on social media, despite skepticism about their effectiveness against misinformation and the platform's ongoing battle with bots.

Read more at New Scientist (5 mins)

‘A death penalty’: Ph.D. student says U of M expelled him over unfair AI allegation

MPR News - January 17, 2025

Haishan Yang, a Ph.D. student at the University of Minnesota, is appealing his expulsion over allegations of using ChatGPT during an exam, which he denies, claiming procedural flaws and unreliable AI detection methods. He has filed a federal lawsuit against the university seeking damages and a public apology, while also facing emotional distress and professional setbacks due to the accusations.

Read more at MPR News (17 mins)

Fake scientific papers made with AI used names of 3 Japan researchers

The Mainichi - January 15, 2025

A disreputable scientific journal has been caught using generative AI to create fake research papers attributed to three Japanese researchers without their consent, raising alarms about predatory publishing practices and the exploitation of reputable names for credibility. The journal, which charges hefty fees and claims to offer peer-reviewed content, is under scrutiny as multiple researchers deny any affiliation and express concerns over its legitimacy.

Read more at The Mainichi (4 mins)

Weekend reads: Retraction counts by country; ‘zombie facts;’ false allegations fell president

Retraction Watch - January 18, 2025

This week's Retraction Watch highlights include a chemist's surprise at finding his name on a paper he didn't author, Sage expressing concerns over 100 papers from one journal, and ongoing discussions about retraction rates and research misconduct, amid rising tensions in international collaboration. Notable incidents also feature plagiarism allegations against a German university president and ethical dilemmas tied to cannabis treatment research.

Read more at Retraction Watch (4 mins)

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