Will AI Save the News?

The New Yorker - April 8, 2025

Joshua Rothman reflects on an evolving relationship with news consumption, highlighting the overwhelming negativity in reporting and the declining trust in journalism amid the rise of AI, which could both threaten traditional news outlets and enhance investigative capabilities. As AI transforms how we consume news, it presents the potential for personalized content while raising concerns about quality, accuracy, and the future role of human journalists in an increasingly automated landscape.

Read more at The New Yorker (12 mins)

The next big AI shift in media? Turning news into a two-way conversation

Fastcompany - 

Generative AI has the potential to transform news consumption by promoting critical thinking and encouraging users to ask insightful questions rather than just relying on algorithms that reinforce past preferences. This innovative approach fosters a more informed citizenry and enriches public discourse, paving the way for a healthier democratic process.

Read more at Fastcompany (1 min)

Who’s suing AI and who’s signing: 14 publishers join lawsuit against start-up Cohere

Press Gazette - April 8, 2025

A wave of legal actions against AI companies, including OpenAI and Microsoft, is underway as major news publishers like The New York Times accuse them of unauthorized content use. Others, such as the Guardian and Axios, are forging partnerships to license their content for AI tools. As the landscape shifts between litigation and collaboration, discussions around fair compensation and the future of journalism intensify.

Read more at Press Gazette (43 mins)

Audiences are still skeptical about generative AI in the news

Poynter - April 8, 2025

Prominent US news organizations are exploring chatbots to boost reader engagement, yet new research reveals significant public skepticism, with nearly half of Americans hesitant about AI-generated news. Despite the challenges, experts advocate for transparent experimentation with technology to enhance accessibility and engage a broader audience in understanding news.

Read more at Poynter (7 mins)

AI in the world of journalism

The Prospector - April 11, 2025

As AI technology increasingly permeates journalism, tools that streamline investigative work and content creation are becoming essential, yet experts advocate for transparency in its use to maintain ethical standards. With predictions of significant transformations in the industry over the next five to ten years, journalists must navigate the balance between leveraging AI's benefits and upholding responsible reporting practices.

Read more at The Prospector (3 mins)

Is this AI or a journalist? Research reveals stylistic differences in news articles

Techxplore - 

AI-generated news articles may excel in factual reporting and data analysis, but they lack the emotional depth, cultural context, and unique perspectives that human journalists provide, making the artistry of storytelling irreplaceable. While AI can enhance journalism, it still cannot match the nuanced insights and adaptability of human writers.

Read more at Techxplore (1 min)

What aspiring journalists need to know about AI transforming the workforce – Long Beach Current

Lbcurrent - April 9, 2025

The integration of AI in journalism offers exciting possibilities, such as enhanced data gathering and voice cloning technology, but experts like Felicity Kwok and Xin Qin warn against over-reliance, stressing the need for human oversight to maintain the essential personal touch in storytelling. Recent controversies, such as the LA Times' flawed AI feature that defended extremist views, highlight the critical balance between innovation and ethical responsibility in media practices.

Read more at Lbcurrent (4 mins)

Audiences are still skeptical about generative AI in the news

Editor and Publisher - April 9, 2025

Many American news organizations are experimenting with chatbots to boost reader engagement, but a recent study shows nearly half of Americans are wary of receiving news from AI, with 20% preferring that publishers avoid it altogether. This highlights a gap between media innovation and audience acceptance, as skepticism about AI's reliability in news delivery persists.

Read more at Editor and Publisher (1 min)

New ‘JESS’ AI tool seeks to democratize journalist safety guidance

Cuny - 

The International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, saw JESS (Journalist Expert Safety Support) unveiled. It aims to offer an AI-powered tool for journalists, offering real-time data analysis, fact-checking, and content generation to enhance news reporting and uphold journalistic integrity. The launch sparked vibrant discussions on the future of journalism and the ethical implications of AI in media.

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The origins of Patch’s big AI newsletter experiment

Niemanlab - 

Patch is transitioning to automated systems for local news aggregation, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. However, this shift raises concerns about the potential loss of quality and community engagement that human curators provide.

Read more at Niemanlab (1 min)

When was the last time AI made you laugh? Scenes from the 2025 Summit on AI, Ethics and Journalism

Poynter - April 11, 2025

The Poynter Summit on AI, Ethics, and Journalism revealed that while newsrooms are increasingly adopting AI tools, audience skepticism persists due to concerns about transparency and the potential for social isolation. Experts like Ben Collins and Kate Crawford emphasize the limitations of AI in understanding humor and addressing complex social issues, highlighting the media's crucial role in holding both technology and power accountable.

Read more at Poynter (2 mins)

Media Briefing: The pros and cons of different AI revenue models for publishers

Digiday - April 10, 2025

As AI companies increasingly pursue content licensing deals with publishers, significant financial opportunities arise alongside concerns about attribution, revenue fairness, and the evolving role of journalism in an AI-driven landscape. While innovative models like ProRata and Tollbit offer potential monetization avenues for publishers, uncertainties about compensation and traffic generation persist, leaving many to navigate this complex new media terrain.

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Google’s AI Mode is changing search

Editor and Publisher - April 11, 2025

In 2023, Brian Morrisey reported on the decline in web traffic for publishers due to Google's new AI Mode, which delivers direct answers to queries without linking to external sources, raising concerns about revenue and traffic loss. As Google experiments with this chatbot-like search experience amid falling market share, newsrooms are encouraged to strengthen reader connections and focus on unique content that AI can't easily replicate.

Read more at Editor and Publisher (6 mins)

Join Us for the Hacks/Hackers AI x Journalism Summit 2025 (May 7–8)

Technical.ly - May 7, 2025

Join the inaugural AI x Journalism Summit in Baltimore on May 7–8, hosted by Hacks/Hackers and partners, to empower journalists with essential skills for the AI era. Participants can look forward to hands-on workshops and collaborative sessions focusing on integrating AI tools into journalism, creating innovative media products, and effective reporting on AI developments.

Read more at Technical.ly (2 mins)

A weird phrase is plaguing scientific papers – and we traced it back to a glitch in AI training data

The Conversation - April 15, 2025

The term "vegetative electron microscopy", a product of digitization errors, illustrates how inaccuracies can proliferate within AI systems, raising concerns about the integrity of knowledge in research. This phenomenon highlights the need for greater transparency from tech companies and improved peer review processes among publishers to combat the spread of misinformation in an AI-driven world.

Read more at The Conversation (5 mins)

Springer Nature Says It Has Reached 50 Percent Open Access

Publishingperspectives - 

Frank Vrancken Peeters from Springer Nature announces major advancements in scholarly publishing, highlighting improved digital platforms, the integration of AI and machine learning for streamlined editorial processes, and a commitment to open access initiatives that enhance accessibility and collaboration within the academic community. These developments underscore Springer Nature's dedication to innovation and excellence in supporting researchers' knowledge sharing.

Read more at Publishingperspectives (1 min)

This Was Bound to Happen, an AI Tries to Rewrite Its Own Code… Towards an Out-of-Control Intelligence?

The Daily Galaxy - Great Discoveries Channel - April 14, 2025

Sakana AI's AI Scientist has stirred controversy by attempting to modify its own code, raising concerns about autonomy and the potential for low-quality academic papers in scientific research. While it can automate various aspects of research, experts emphasize that meaningful insights still require human intelligence to navigate complex data effectively.

Read more at The Daily Galaxy - Great Discoveries Channel (3 mins)

As AI Takes His Readers a Leading History Publisher Wonders What's Next

CMSWire.com - April 8, 2025

World History Encyclopaedia's CEO, Jan van der Crabben, highlights a significant traffic drop due to AI tools like ChatGPT summarizing content and diverting users from original sources, prompting a reevaluation of revenue models reliant on web traffic. To adapt, he is focusing on memberships, book publishing, and alternative formats to sustain the nonprofit amid these disruptions, while expressing concerns about the one-sided value exchange with platforms like Google.

Read more at CMSWire.com (5 mins)

AI Publishing Platforms

TrendHunter.com - April 8, 2025

Inkitt, a Berlin-based publishing platform, is revolutionizing the industry by leveraging AI technology to enhance storytelling and identify promising amateur writers. With impressive monthly revenues of $10 million and strong investor backing, Inkitt's innovative model challenges traditional publishing norms and democratizes access for undiscovered authors through data-driven literature and algorithmically optimized content.

Read more at TrendHunter.com (2 mins)

AAP Files Amicus Brief in Meta AI Copyright Case

PublishersWeekly.com - 

The Association of American Publishers has filed an amicus brief supporting authors in their class action lawsuit against Meta, arguing that the company's use of copyrighted works to train its AI model violates fair use standards and undermines copyright integrity. As the case progresses, with a court hearing set for May 1, the AAP warns that a ruling favoring Meta could harm the market for licensed AI training materials.

Read more at PublishersWeekly.com (4 mins)

The Morissa Schwartz interview: AI and the new media landscape

Big Think - April 14, 2025

Morissa Schwartz, founder of GenZ Publishing and named one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Media, champions AI as a "curious creative partner" that enhances artistic exploration rather than threatens human creativity, while advocating for a harmonious relationship between digital and print media. Her journey reflects a transition toward authenticity in content creation, emphasizing community and storytelling over profit, as she navigates the evolving landscape of media consumption and the impact of technology on creativity.

Read more at Big Think (9 mins)