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- MediaMorph Edition 55 - by HANA News
MediaMorph Edition 55 - by HANA News
And the nominations are in…
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The written-by-a-human bit
It’s that time of year when invitations start to arrive for industry awards ceremonies. You get to cut a cheque to nominate a colleague and then pay for a glass of warm wine while the lead sponsor’s nephew picks up the “Best Newcomer Award”.
In that spirit, we have compiled our shortlist for AI media trailblazers – enterprise, start-ups and AI coverage.
For Leadership in Enterprise Adoption
Dylan Jacques, Director of Technology at the Telegraph Media Group, caused a stir back in November last year when the Press Gazette wrote that Dylan’s team was launching a new AI-driven newsroom tool every month. Now Chief Product and Technology Officer, Dylan found and drove exactly the correct process for designing, prototyping and launching meaningful AI products, including translation, summarisation and analytics.
Jane Barrett, Head of Reuters AI Strategy, is nominated for taking Reuters from “wait and see” to “lead and shape” when it comes to generative AI. See her excellent podcast with Pete Pachal. I love her three buckets – reduce, augment, transform. Jane has cracked the code for a meaningful process that brings the newsroom with you.
News Corp (my former employer and client) was fast out of the blocks to secure a deal with OpenAI, and their COO of News UK, David Dinsmore, has been an advocate for rapid adoption. He stated that over 33% of staff use AI tools. The company aims to reach 75% soon. At the same time, David is actively defending News UK’s content from unfair use by AI platforms.
The Washington Post’s Vineet Khosla, CTO, and his team deserve a mention for launching a subscriber-facing “Ask The Post” AI custom chatbot ahead of the pack. It was a risky move, but it has seen a successful soft launch. Watch the rest of the media pack catch up.
Disruptive AI Media Startups:
ProRata continues to make waves as it signs up media companies to its publisher-friendly AI search solution. Digiday reports this week that the tally is now 500 publisher partners, incentivised by a 50% revenue share for contributing content. It is still unclear how successful Gist.ai will be as a destination and how the attribution model works, but it would be bold to bet against the founder Bill Gross.
Human Native is approaching the same problem from a different angle by creating a marketplace for premium content and data licensing. Led by the eloquent James Smith, Human Native deserves accolades for navigating the tricky waters between content owners and AI platforms.
We also nominate AppliedXL, led by computational journalist and author Francesco Marconi. AppliedXL is a trailblazer in using AI to identify signals before they become news, offering an edge for industries that need proprietary “pre-news” insights.
We can’t help but also give a mention to Perplexity in the disruption category. Three years old in August, its current funding round values Perplexity at $14 billion. Despite some litigious speedbumps, Perplexity continues to impress as an audacious landgrab on the search market, and is muscling in as an ad driven media company in its own right.
Best Media Coverage of AI:
The AI Daily Brief has to be my go-to for daily headlines and a deeper dive on all things AI. The prodigious Nathaniel Whittemore (NLW) offers intelligent insights for all enthusiastic AI adopters, providing an holistic view of trends, politics and AI use cases.
Hard Fork from the New York Times has a huge following with a weekly diet of humour and insight. Kevin Roose and Casey Newton have an impressive roster of guests, while Kevin gets to laugh at Casey’s jokes.
The Times Tech Podcast has an equally impressive guest list with Danny Fortson and Katie Prescott providing great trans-Atlantic chemistry.
Finally, Pete Pachal deserves a nomination as the main man for his Media CoPilot newsletter, podcast and Fast Company column. Pete is fast becoming the leading authority on all things AI and media, and is consistently ahead of the latest trends, concerns and opportunities.
Who have I missed? Do reply to this newsletter with your thoughts, feedback and nominations.
For a full list of AI courses, newsletters, podcasts and books, visit Mathison’s Recommended AI Resources PDF
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
Why digital publishers like Business Insider are most exposed in the AI era Publishers like Business Insider are facing a critical shift away from prioritizing scale, as the rise of AI transforms content creation and audience engagement. To thrive in this evolving landscape, they must focus on quality, relevance and personalized strategies, while navigating the complexities of integrating AI into their operations. |
“NATO for News”. Is a Joint Effort by Media firms the Way to Go in the Age of AI? The Hollywood Reporter - June 3, 2025 At the Media & Telecoms 2025 & Beyond Conference in London, industry leaders emphasised the importance of collaboration among media companies to protect copyright and leverage opportunities in generative AI, with calls for a "NATO for news" to counter the influence of tech giants. The panellists advocated for an opt-in approach to safeguard creators' rights, as discussions highlighted partnerships with AI firms like OpenAI and the potential for AI to enhance subscriber value. |
Boston Globe, Future, Vox Media join ProRata’s generative AI licensing model Digiday - June 6, 2025 ProRata has secured partnerships with various publishers, including Frommer’s and The Nation, offering a unique revenue model that pays them 50% of earnings based on content usage in AI responses. With its Gist.ai platform aimed at enhancing publisher traffic through a "distributed AI search" model, ProRata is set to innovate monetisation strategies while promoting transparency and fair compensation for journalism. |
In CNN piece, NLP urges care and transparency as journalism embraces AI Newslit - Peter Adams from the News Literacy Project highlights the dual-edged nature of AI in journalism, noting its potential to boost efficiency and allow deeper storytelling, while also warning of risks related to accuracy and bias. He advocates for stringent ethical guidelines and oversight to ensure that AI enhances journalistic integrity rather than compromising it. |
Generative AI used to copy and clone French news media in French-speaking Africa Rsf - June 2, 2025 A recent case of identity theft using generative AI involved a fake video discussing Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto, highlighting the growing challenge of manipulated content that undermines public trust. Experts stress the importance of classifying and authenticating media to combat the proliferation of deepfakes and protect journalistic integrity. |
These journalism pioneers are working to keep their countries’ languages alive in the age of AI news Many newsrooms in less widely spoken languages are missing out on the benefits of emerging technologies that could enhance their reporting and audience engagement. This highlights the urgent need for inclusive tech solutions that support diverse linguistic needs, fostering a more equitable global media landscape. |
FIPP Global AI in Media Tracker FIPP - June 4, 2025 The FIPP Global AI in Media Tracker for June 2025 reveals key advancements in AI within the media sector, including innovative content creation tools and enhanced audience engagement strategies. Stay informed on the latest trends, regulatory changes, and ethical considerations shaping the industry's future as this live document is regularly updated. |
What the Sun-Times’ AI blunder says about the future of journalism: Telander FOX 32 Chicago - June 3, 2025 After a long career as a sports columnist, the author reflects on the challenges facing journalism today, including the impact of AI and budget cuts at the Chicago Sun-Times, while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity and storytelling in reporting. Their experiences underline a growing concern about maintaining journalistic integrity amidst financial pressures and technological advancements. |
UNESCO Highlights Opportunities, Challenges, and Threats of AI for Journalism in Costa Rica Unesco - A recent session in Costa Rica examined the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency in news gathering and reporting while raising concerns about accuracy, ethical standards, and job security. Participants emphasized the importance of training and maintaining critical thinking as they adapt to new technologies in the industry. |
TechMagic: Vibe Coding, AI Journalism, XR Warfare, AI App Building, and Apple Gaming Adweek - June 4, 2025 In this episode of TechMagic, hosts Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler delve into transformative AI advancements, such as "vibe coding," that empower non-developers to create apps. They also discuss the potential disruption of career paths and trust issues surrounding AI-generated content. They explore Apple's strategic entry into gaming and its implications for hardware integration in a competitive market. |
How AI Might Save the News Media Unite.AI - June 6, 2025 As AI-powered chatbots reshape the media landscape, concerns about job security for journalists rise amid high-profile layoffs and content errors from AI-generated articles. However, while AI may enhance news publications by prioritizing quality information, traditional media's collaboration with AI firms is essential for ensuring effective content curation and maintaining journalism's vital role in the evolving digital ecosystem. |
Listen in about AI in Local Journalism In a recent discussion on Mike Stephen's radio show, we explored how AI can enhance local journalism by streamlining workflows and boosting audience engagement, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the human touch in storytelling. We also highlighted the ethical considerations of using AI in journalism, advocating for its role as a supportive tool that empowers journalists rather than replaces their creativity and critical thinking. |
WPP Media launches its ‘Manhattan project’ tech solution into a crowded AI market Digiday - June 5, 2025 WPP Media has launched "Open Intelligence," an AI identity solution designed to enhance privacy-conscious targeting by utilizing consumer behavior data from various sources, rather than social media. This initiative aims to improve digital marketing efficiency for clients, demonstrating significant results like a 60% reduction in cost per acquisition for some brands, while also adapting to evolving privacy regulations. |
Ed: Why AI Companies Should Pay Media Organisations for Their Content AfroTech - The New York Times has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Amazon, allowing the tech giant to use its content for AI models like Alexa, marking a significant shift in how news organizations protect their intellectual property and ensure fair compensation. This trend is echoed by other publishers, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and remuneration for creators whose work fuels AI development. |
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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