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- MediaMorph Edition 42 - by HANA News
MediaMorph Edition 42 - by HANA News
The M&A Edition
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The written-by-a-human bit
As with any emerging technology, the build/buy/borrow question is being asked of strategy heads. With a premium on talent, attention is turning towards acquisition targets for media giants looking to leapfrog ahead in the AI race or build a defensive moat.
They should look to find synergies through buying IP/ in-house tech and talent. This presents two types of target: a capability that solves a particular media need or a boutique consultancy that acts as an R&D lab and AI centre of excellence.
To accelerate a capability, the most data-driven opportunities are analytics, ad tech, personalisation, attrribution and revenue share. A post-cookie world would suggest buying a start-up that excels at using AI for on-device customer analytics, like Permutive or GumGum, hence protecting user privacy and increasing digital ad revenue. Or they could shop around for a real-time and predictive analytics AI company such as Chartbeat to help with engagement, content recommendation engines, and personalisation - which, for example, could highlight which articles are likely to drive subscriptions. Or many funky start-ups, such as Echobox, match content to social channels to aid distribution. Finally, the braver ones may want to get into the AI content compensation game by buying into one of the first movers like ProRata.
For a more R&D based approach, they should focus on acquiring NLP and data analytics talent through a boutique agency - one that can help with rapid prototyping, ideally with their in-house IP and with an ethical and explainable approach. The target could become an internal AI dev studio, rapidly building and iterating on new AI-driven product features (e.g. a custom AI tool to auto-tag and index vast content archives or a prototype for an AI-curated personalised news feed for subscribers). A proven methodology for delivering bespoke POCs would ensure the lab has a quick turnaround on ideas, accelerating innovation cycles. Examples include Puritan AI, Markovate and ThirdEye Data.
Either way, talent and multiples are at a premium, and AI capabilities are accelerating weekly. While the temptation will be to adopt hybrid strategies or keep everything in-house, the only bad decision is to do nothing.
In other news from AI land, this week's chatter is about Sesame, an insanely good chat interface that has cracked the latency problem, and the Chinese launched Manus AI, “the first general AI agent.” The jury is out on Manus, so we will re-visit next week, but do take Sesame for a spin.
Mark Riley, CEO of Mathison AI
AI and Media and Journalism
AI is the media’s chance to reinvent itself The rapid rise of AI is reshaping journalism, presenting both opportunities and challenges as it threatens traditional news gathering and distribution methods while risking misinformation spread and job insecurity. As media organizations like the BBC struggle to adapt, the future of journalism hinges on embracing innovative, participatory approaches to maintain accountability and trust in a tech-driven landscape. |
AI and the news: What researchers learned from the AP + the BBC The Journalist's Resource - March 4, 2025 Recent research on AI integration in journalism, particularly by the Associated Press and the BBC, underscores the importance of managing expectations, ensuring human oversight, and fostering collaboration between newsroom leaders and academic researchers to effectively utilize AI tools. Initiatives like the AP's Local News AI project demonstrate how AI can free up time for original reporting, though its impact on journalistic depth remains uncertain. |
Journalists are using generative AI tools without company oversight, study finds Digiday - March 4, 2025 A recent report highlights that 42.3% of journalists use generative AI tools without company approval, primarily to boost efficiency, despite concerns over accuracy and reputational risks. As newsrooms increasingly adopt AI technologies, organizations plan to enhance employee education and implement new usage policies to navigate these challenges. |
Statement: New Report Shows AI Chatbots Provide Virtually No Referral Traffic to Publishers News/Media Alliance - March 3, 2025 Tollbit's new AI User Agent Index reveals that AI chatbots have significantly lower click-through rates compared to traditional Google searches, prompting Danielle Coffey, President and CEO of the News/Media Alliance, to call for responsible AI practices. She warns that generative AI is jeopardizing publishers' revenue by scraping content without directing traffic back to original sites, urging AI companies to compensate news organizations for their contributions. |
AI Search Has A Citation Problem Cjr - AI search tools are gaining traction, with nearly 25% of Americans using them, revolutionizing how we access information and make decisions. This shift enhances user experience and sparks important conversations about the implications for media consumption and accuracy in our increasingly digital world. |
News unions are grappling with generative AI. Our new study shows what they’re most concerned about As generative AI reshapes journalism, news media unions are stepping up to address its challenges by advocating for transparency, human judgment in reporting, and stronger protections for journalists. Their efforts reflect a broader strategy to navigate the evolving landscape of technology while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity in news production. |
Using AI as a freelance journalist Substack - Freelancing for Journalists - Lily Canter March 5, 2025 In our upcoming series on AI in journalism, we’ll delve into the ethical implications and practical applications of AI tools, featuring insights from experts like Chris Stokel-Walker. Don’t miss the chance to share your thoughts and participate in our anonymous survey to aid freelance journalists—register by March 17th for an online briefing! |
Gannett seeks AI sports editor amid union tensions, past controversies Awful Announcing - March 3, 2025 Gannett is hiring an "AI Sports Editor" and "AI-Assisted Sports Reporter" as it expands its use of artificial intelligence in journalism, despite facing backlash from employee journalists and union tensions over the impact of AI on working conditions and local reporting. The company's stock has dropped significantly amid ongoing contract disputes and criticism over its AI-generated content practices. |
The LA Times’ Political Rating “AI” Is A Silly Joke Aimed At Validating Wealthy Media Ownership’s Inherent Bias Techdirt - March 5, 2025 The LA Times' introduction of an AI-driven feature called "Insights" has sparked controversy for misrepresenting articles and raising concerns about the reliability of AI in journalism, especially following significant staff layoffs. Critics argue that this approach reflects a troubling trend of prioritizing corporate interests over journalistic integrity, potentially perpetuating biases rather than fostering genuine objectivity. |
AI and Academic Publishing
‘Vague, confusing, and did nothing to improve my work’: how AI can undermine peer review The Conversation - March 9, 2025 In early 2023, concerns arose regarding the quality of peer review comments on a manuscript about systematic reviews, suggesting potential use of AI in generating vague feedback that undermines the integrity of scholarly evaluation. This experience highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the peer review process to prevent the dissemination of unverified research as fact. |
Research Solutions Launches Clearinghouse For AI Rights To Scientific Literature Prnewswire - March 10, 2025 Research Solutions (NASDAQ: RSSS) has launched an innovative solution that allows customers to purchase legal rights for using scientific journal content in AI applications, streamlining research workflows across various industries. This initiative addresses market challenges by balancing the needs of publishers and researchers, promoting sustainable business models while enhancing access to scientific literature. |
AI’s research blunder: How a mistake sparked a chain of flawed scientific papers. Can artificial intelligence be trusted in academia? The Economic Times - March 9, 2025 A viral incident has exposed a significant flaw in academic research due to an AI-generated mistranslation that led to the erroneous phrase "vegetative electron microscopy," highlighting concerns over the reliability of peer review and the risks of unchecked AI use in scholarly work. Meanwhile, stock market updates suggest optimism for InterGlobe Aviation's performance and highlight trading recommendations for promising auto and power generation stocks. |
Journal Article: “AI Literacy: A Guide For Academic Libraries” Library Journal infoDOCKET - March 7, 2025 Explore the essential guide to AI literacy, which empowers individuals to engage with AI technologies and navigate their ethical implications critically. By understanding AI's multifaceted impact on society, learners can make informed decisions and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. |
Scientists’ suit against top academic publishers lays bare deep frustration over unpaid peer review STAT - March 10, 2025 Four researchers have launched a lawsuit against six major academic publishers, alleging anticompetitive practices that exploit unpaid peer review and restrict authors' rights, while the publishers deny the claims as standard practice in scholarly publishing. This legal battle reflects growing frustrations in the academic community over the sustainability and fairness of the current peer review system. |
AI at the microphone: The voice of the future? – Digital Society Blog HIIG - March 6, 2025 The digital audio content industry is booming, with AI tools revolutionizing audiobook production by streamlining creation and enhancing accessibility; however, this rapid innovation raises essential concerns about transparency, voice rights, and the future of creative professions. As platforms like ElevenLabs, Spotify, and Apple embrace AI-generated narration, the balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility remains crucial. |
UK AI research is under threat from hostile nations, says Alan Turing Institute ITPro - March 7, 2025 The Alan Turing Institute warns that the UK's AI research sector is at risk from hostile state actors seeking sensitive data and espionage opportunities, urging a cultural shift in academia to prioritize research security. With nearly half of UK universities facing weekly cyberattacks, experts call for enhanced government support to safeguard intellectual property and retain top talent. |
Yale’s next AI priorities center on ethics and wider access, says Provost Yale Daily News - March 4, 2025 Yale University prioritises artificial intelligence, establishing a dedicated task force and committing $150 million over five years to enhance AI initiatives and computing power. Provost Scott Strobel emphasized the need for substantial investments in STEM fields while addressing recent challenges in federal science funding. |
Project Alexandria: Democratizing Scientific Knowledge Through Structured Fact Extraction with LLMs The rise of open access publishing offers a promising solution to the challenge of limited access to scientific research, particularly for those in developing countries and smaller institutions. However, the transition faces hurdles such as funding models and journal sustainability, highlighting the ongoing need for collaborative efforts to democratize knowledge and accelerate scientific progress. |
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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