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- MediaMorph Edition 52 - by HANA News
MediaMorph Edition 52 - by HANA News
And so it begins…
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The written-by-a-human bit
There is a notable one-upmanship trend of CEOs making “We are AI-first” statements in leaked memos to staff, with accompanying details about layoffs and automation, but remaining “human-centric.” Tobi Lütke at Spotify started the ball rolling, followed by Luis von Ahn at Duolingo and Aaron Levie at Box. Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman went one further, saying, “AI is coming for your jobs. Heck, it’s coming for my job too.” Some estimates put total tech layoffs this year at around 61,000.
Other factors are clearly at play, such as tariffs and post-COVID belt-tightening, but the trend is clear. I wouldn’t want to be an entry-level UI/UX designer right now.
Media and publishing CFOs will be watching and wondering how AI can improve their bottom line. One straightforward approach is to justify all requests for new hires against the question, “Why can’t AI do this task?” The other is to insist on AI training and adoption as a retention benchmark. Everyone will be expected to be more productive with smaller teams.
Disruption on this scale is always fraught and never easy. Newsrooms are notoriously inefficient and slow to adapt. AI mishaps will be amplified, and projects will be sidelined. However, the winners will be those who can become super-lean without losing their souls to the machines.
Happy Birthday to us! MediaMorph is a year old and reaches an impressive audience of senior media and publishing executives weekly. We started our newsletter builder, Hana, as an experiment to crack the broken local news business model - and we now serve Bristol and Oxford weekly, with 10 other cities in our sights. Media Morph is our B2B offering. We challenged ourselves to “eat our own dog food” and build an AI tool that makes retrieval, ranking, summarisation and distribution super efficient while keeping it human. Today, Hana retrieved and ranked 10 outstanding “AI and Journalism” articles in under 30 seconds. The must-reads include CJR’s How We’re Using AI and Poynter’s Journalism is facing its crisis moment with AI. It might not be a bad thing.
Happy reading
Mark Riley, CEO, Mathison AI
Hi
AI will be a substantial competitive advantage for those who master it. But most are still struggling with adoption because rolling out a chatbot or copilot isn’t enough to get people using it.
At Mathison AI, we are helping CEOs like you rapidly discover and prototype high-impact AI use cases tailored to your business.
We’re currently working with global and local enterprises to identify areas where AI can drive real operational value — from automation and cost savings to entirely new product ideas.
If you’re exploring AI and want a clear, low-risk way to get started, I’d love to share how we approach it through fast education sessions and hands-on prototyping.
AI and Media and Journalism
Opinion | Journalism is facing its crisis moment with AI. It might not be a bad thing. Poynter - AI is reshaping journalism, offering tools that can enhance reporting and audience engagement. By embracing these technologies while leveraging their unique human strengths, journalists can evolve and thrive in a changing landscape, ensuring the profession's core values remain intact. |
How We’re Using AI The rise of AI is revolutionising journalism by streamlining tasks like news gathering and content creation, enabling journalists to focus more on storytelling. However, this transformation also brings challenges such as misinformation and ethical concerns that the industry must navigate as it evolves. |
Opinion: Journalists cannot afford to ignore artificial intelligence As AI technology rapidly evolves, journalists face both challenges and opportunities; by harnessing tools like ChatGPT for tasks such as research and data visualisation, they can enhance their storytelling while navigating the ethical implications of AI use. Embracing these advancements is essential for survival in a competitive industry, where maintaining creative integrity and public trust remains paramount. |
Have journalists skipped the ethics conversation when it comes to using AI? The Conversation - May 13, 2025 A recent study reveals a troubling gap in ethical discussions surrounding the use of AI in Canadian journalism, as journalists grapple with varying levels of AI literacy and a lack of consensus on human oversight. With calls for transparency and trust from audiences, the industry faces urgent challenges in integrating AI responsibly while maintaining credibility. |
Teaching journalism students generative AI: why I switched to an “AI diary” this semester Online Journalism Blog - May 13, 2025 The introduction of an "AI diary" in journalism education encourages students to document their interactions with AI, fostering transparency and critical reflection on its role in writing. This dynamic approach integrates AI concepts throughout the module, allowing for real-time learning and deeper engagement with AI's capabilities and limitations. |
How AI could sabotage the next generation of journalists Newsrooms must balance the integration of AI with essential journalism skills to prevent early-career journalists from becoming overly reliant on technology, which could stifle their critical thinking and investigative abilities. Prioritizing training in human judgment and storytelling alongside AI proficiency is crucial for nurturing original, insightful reporting. |
Artificial intelligence policy for The Nevada Independent The Nevada Independent - May 19, 2025 The Nevada Independent champions the vital role of human journalists while harnessing AI to enhance reporting efficiency, ensuring all AI-assisted content is transparently labeled and rigorously reviewed. Their commitment to ethics and integrity includes ongoing training for staff and a clear framework for responsible AI use in journalism. |
COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN THAT OUTSMARTS AI WITH AI Wate - An organization has launched a vital initiative using viral AI-generated images to educate Americans on identifying fake imagery and combat misinformation. Through workshops, online resources, and interactive tools, the program aims to enhance media literacy and equip individuals with critical skills to discern authentic content from deceptive visuals in today's digital landscape. |
Study finds journalists are on AI frontline and yet to be replaced by tech Press Gazette - May 13, 2025 A study from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Chicago reveals that while AI adoption in journalism is on the rise—over 70% of journalists report being encouraged to use it—the impact on job satisfaction, earnings, and hours worked remains minimal. Despite concerns about job displacement, many journalists are finding ways to integrate AI tools into their workflows for efficiency, though new responsibilities like fact-checking have emerged. |
Book Review: ‘Empire of AI,’ by Karen Hao; ‘The Optimist,’ by Keach Hagey The New York Times - May 19, 2025 In "Empire of AI," Karen Hao critiques the quest for artificial superintelligence, highlighting its dangers through the lens of resource exploitation and colonialism, while Keach Hagey's "The Optimist" presents Sam Altman as a potentially well-meaning yet powerful figure who risks becoming an unintentional architect of chaos. Together, these books offer contrasting perspectives on the implications of AI's rapid advancement. |
AI and Academic Publishing
How Clarivate is clamping down on bad actors in academic publishing Chemistry World - May 14, 2025 Clarivate has ramped up its scrutiny of academic journals, leading to the delisting of over a hundred titles, including Taylor & Francis' Bioengineered, due to issues like paper milling and inappropriate citations. This shift highlights the need for reform in scholarly publishing practices and research integrity education, especially as the pressure to publish increases the proliferation of low-quality research. |
CCC Introduces Expanded RightsLink Author Services for Scholarly Publishers CCC is set to launch new automated capabilities aimed at helping scholarly publishers streamline promotional offers for authors, enhancing engagement and collaboration. This initiative will reduce manual efforts, allowing publishers to focus on core activities while improving outreach strategies. |
Beyond Open Access: Improving Quality in Research Psychology Today - May 19, 2025 Kulldorff (2025) proposes a transformative approach to academic publishing with four pillars aimed at enhancing accessibility and efficiency, yet the necessity of editorial gatekeeping for quality control remains crucial. Additionally, the author highlights the pitfalls of prioritizing analytical complexity over clarity, advocating for a balanced approach to ensure research is both rigorous and comprehensible. |
AI paper mills are swamping science with garbage studies The Register - May 13, 2025 A University of Surrey report highlights the alarming rise of low-quality AI-generated research papers, particularly those analyzing the NHANES dataset, which often rely on simplistic single-variable studies that undermine the integrity of scientific knowledge. To combat this trend, researchers urge journals to treat such analyses as "red flags" and advocate for greater transparency and rigorous data usage standards in scientific publishing. |
Weekend reads: MIT rescinds support of AI paper; should AI write science papers, anyway?; another pub steps in for paused NIH journal Retraction Watch - May 17, 2025 This week at Retraction Watch, we highlighted significant developments in academic integrity, including Clarivate's decision to exclude citations from retracted articles in impact factors and the retraction of numerous Elsevier papers due to fraudulent practices. Our database now tracks over 59,000 retractions, with ongoing concerns regarding AI-generated content and the quality of scientific research amid evolving publishing dynamics. |
AI language models increasingly shape economics research writing, study finds Phys - A recent study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that large language models like ChatGPT are revolutionising productivity and communication across various sectors, from education to creative industries. While these AI systems offer valuable assistance in tasks like content creation and data analysis, they also raise important concerns about biases and their impact on critical thinking, underscoring the need for responsible usage and ethical exploration. |
Artificial Intelligence and Publishing Ethics: A Narrative Review and SWOT Analysis Cureus - May 14, 2025 Discover how academic channels empower organisations to showcase peer-reviewed research while benefiting from discounted publishing options, enhancing visibility and collaboration within specific fields. Join a vibrant community led by dedicated editors committed to maintaining high standards and advancing knowledge! |
Impact through mentorship: The ECR Program expands Springer Nature's Early Career Researcher (ECR) Program, expanding globally, offers vital support through workshops, mentorship initiatives like the Rising Scholars: Breast Cancer program, and resources aimed at enhancing publication skills and research integrity for emerging scientists. With a focus on open science and collaboration, this initiative empowers ECRs from diverse backgrounds to elevate their contributions to the scientific community. |
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