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  • MediaMorph Edition 62 - by HANA News

MediaMorph Edition 62 - by HANA News

Google giveth, and Google taketh away

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MediaMorph Edition 62 - by HANA News

Google giveth, and Google taketh away

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The written-by-a-human bit

Google analysts watching their latest quarterlies and hoping for a cannibalistic hit from AI search results would have been sorely disappointed. The stock remained flat on concerns about AI-related capital expenditure and ongoing market jitters about AI competition in core search. But the headline numbers were stellar — Alphabet’s total revenue for Q2 2025 was $96.4 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year, comfortably beating market forecasts.

For publishers, however, life is not so rosy. Google’s latest core update provided the usual nail-biting rollercoaster as publishers scrambled to assess the damage from AI overviews. The impact remains unclear, but the one certainty is volatility as traffic plummets and recovers for some, but not all. Meanwhile, a Guardian exclusive study warns of the "devastating impact” of AI summaries for news publishers, as click-throughs drop by up to 80%.

Against this backdrop, somewhere in the Googleplex, an outbreak of entente cordiale has emerged towards publishers. Bloomberg reports that Google is offering hard cash to a select group of news organisations for licensing their content for AI purposesa peace offering of sorts or maybe just a down payment for a quieter life.

The details are sketchy, but this marks a significant shift in how Google wants to navigate the copyright minefield. It's a significant move from so-called “fair use” smash and grab to the OpenAI playbook of mediation and deal-making.

Questions remain will this filter down to the smaller publishers? Is it enough to compensate for traffic declines? Does Google actually care about preserving its information pipeline, or is this just peace money?

What we do know is that Google has an ambitious $85 billion capex plan for AI infrastructure and R&D it only seems fair that some of that supports the most critical commodity quality content.

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AI and Journalism

Google Seeks Licensing Talks With News Groups, Following AI Rivals

Bloomberg - ($ paywalled)

Google is launching a new licensing initiative to collaborate with news organisations, allowing the company to use their content while providing financial compensation. This effort aims to address copyright concerns and support journalism in the face of AI advancements, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between tech and media.

Read more at Bloomberg (1 min)

AI Lacks Full Capability To Replace Journalism

Forbes - July 21, 2025

The decline of newspapers, exacerbated by digital media advancements and AI technologies like ChatGPT, has led to significant cuts in journalism resources and a loss of depth in reporting. As traditional newsrooms struggle to adapt, the challenges of misinformation and reduced journalistic quality underscore the need for careful navigation of AI's transformative impact on information dissemination.

Read more at Forbes (6 mins)

Jim VandeHei: Rise of Super Journalists

Axios - 

Axios CEO Jim VandeHei emphasises the emerging role of "super journalists" in the AI era, who will blend traditional reporting with advanced tech skills to enhance storytelling and engagement. He argues that while AI aids in data analysis, the irreplaceable human elements of critical thinking and creativity will be vital for producing high-quality journalism.

Read more at Axios (1 min)

Balancing Productivity and Privacy: How Female Journalists Use AI Chatbots

Unesco - 

Female journalists in Jordan are harnessing AI chatbots to boost productivity and enhance safety, tackling tasks like content generation and fact-checking. However, this reliance raises ethical concerns around data privacy, misinformation, and algorithmic bias, highlighting the need for a careful balance between efficiency and ethical standards in an evolving media landscape.

Read more at Unesco (1 min)

Politico's Owner Is Embarrassing Its Journalists With Garbled AI Slop

Futurism - July 23, 2025

Axel Springer, the parent company of Politico, is facing backlash from journalists over its hasty implementation of AI technology that has led to significant reporting errors, prompting the PEN Guild to seek arbitration for contract violations. The situation escalated as CEO Mathias Döpfner mandated AI usage across the company, ignoring workforce concerns amidst impending layoffs, further fueling discontent among staff.

Read more at Futurism (4 mins)

Bylines to bots: How the AI revolution is changing newsrooms and who, or what, is pitching them

Prweek - July 24, 2025

Generative AI is revolutionizing the media sector by automating tasks and reshaping business models, leading to significant layoffs while enhancing efficiency in news production. As industry leaders emphasize the balance between AI and human-driven journalism, concerns grow over the blurring lines between credible reporting and synthetic content in an increasingly complex information landscape.

Read more at Prweek (8 mins)

Muck Rack Study: Generative AI Relies Heavily on Earned Media and Journalism

Fox40 - 

A recent analysis shows that over 95% of links in AI-generated responses come from non-paid sources, with 85% being earned media and 27% from journalistic outlets. This highlights the growing reliance on credible information to enhance trust and authority in AI outputs.

Read more at Fox40 (1 min)

AI summaries cause ‘devastating’ drop in audiences, online news media told

The Guardian - July 24, 2025

Media outlets are facing a "devastating impact" from Google's AI Overviews that summarise search results, potentially slashing clickthrough rates by up to 80% and threatening their survival. A legal complaint has been filed against Google for monopolising user engagement and undermining independent news sources, sparking concerns over the future of quality online information.

Read more at The Guardian (4 mins)

AI Takes A Journalism Class: How It Answers Reader Queries

Mediapost - 

A recent Muck Rack study reveals that journalism significantly influences AI-generated responses, with 27% of citations coming from news articles, rising to 49% for recent content. The findings highlight the reliance on reputable media sources, raising important questions about accuracy and diversity in information as AI continues to evolve.

Read more at Mediapost (2 mins)

What content strategy looks like in the age of AI

Fastcompany - 

A successful content strategy must harmonize the needs of human audiences with the demands of machine algorithms, focusing on engaging, high-quality material while adhering to SEO best practices. By leveraging data analytics, creators can continuously refine their approach to enhance visibility and user experience across platforms.

Read more at Fastcompany (1 min)

'Did this actually happen?' AI blurs the line between journalism and fakery | COLUMN

Register-Guard - July 26, 2025

At the recent Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association awards, Guy Tasaka highlighted the dangers of AI in media, showcasing how it can produce misleading content that mimics real journalism. Chris Pietsch from The Register-Guard further emphasised the importance of authenticity in news photography, contrasting genuine footage of a fireworks accident with overly polished AI-generated versions, urging the public to critically evaluate their news sources.

Read more at Register-Guard (3 mins)

What content strategy looks like in the age of AI

Fastcompany - 

A successful content strategy blends engaging narratives for human readers with technical optimisation for search engines and AI systems. By striking a balance between emotional resonance and discoverability, content can drive traffic and foster community interaction while adhering to SEO best practices.

Read more at Fastcompany (1 min)

How Media Operations Are Transforming With AI, Cloud & Data Analytics

BW Marketing World - 

The media industry is undergoing a major shift with the integration of AI and cloud technologies, enhancing content creation, distribution, and audience engagement while also addressing ethical challenges like data privacy. As on-demand viewing rises, organisations are leveraging advanced analytics for personalised experiences, optimising operations, and navigating evolving regulations to maintain consumer trust.

Read more at BW Marketing World (4 mins)

The Future of Journalism: Rebuilding Trust in Media as a Strategic Investment Opportunity

Ainvest - July 27, 2025

In 2025, the media landscape is ripe for investment as traditional journalism faces challenges like declining trust, yet innovative platforms leveraging AI and user-generated content are emerging to restore credibility. Savvy investors can capitalise on this shift by supporting companies that prioritise transparency and community engagement, driving the evolution of trustworthy journalism.

Read more at Ainvest (4 mins)

I Sat in on an AI Training Session at KPMG. Here's What I Found Out.

Business Insider - July 26, 2025

At a KPMG training session for tax interns in Florida, participants learned about effective AI usage and prompting techniques to enhance interactions, while also exploring the firm's AI tool, the Digital Gateway. Amidst discussions on technology's impact, a surprise wellness break reminded everyone of the importance of balancing screen time with relaxation.

Read more at Business Insider (5 mins)

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AI and Academic Publishing

The Impact of AI on Scholarly Publishing and Media Credibility: Navigating Opportunities in AI-Driven Content Curation and Social Media Engagement

Ainvest - July 29, 2025

AI is transforming scholarly publishing by improving efficiency and credibility while also introducing challenges like misinformation. As major publishers integrate AI for processes like peer review, investors should focus on ethical platforms that promote transparency and equity, ensuring the evolution of knowledge dissemination benefits all stakeholders.

Read more at Ainvest (5 mins)

AI helps Latin scholars decipher ancient Roman texts

Phys - 

Each year, around 1500 Latin inscriptions are unearthed, offering valuable insights into the daily lives and cultural practices of ancient Romans. These discoveries highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in overcoming challenges related to interpretation and preservation in the study of Roman history.

Read more at Phys (1 min)

Johns Hopkins Press Plans to License Books to Train AI

Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs - July 25, 2025

Johns Hopkins University Press is set to license its books for training large language models, offering authors an opt-out option until August 31, amidst concerns about revenue loss and the integrity of academic work. While this move aims to bolster funding for the non-profit publisher, it has sparked apprehension among authors and academic presses regarding the implications of AI partnerships on scholarly content.

Read more at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs (6 mins)

When AI Imagines a Tree: How Your Chatbot’s Worldview Shapes Your Thinking

Stanford - 

A recent study presented at the April 2025 CHI Conference highlights the critical role of ontology in addressing AI bias, revealing that major AI systems often reflect limited and culturally biased perspectives on concepts like humanity. Researchers advocate for a shift towards embracing the complexity of human experiences in AI development to foster more inclusive and meaningful interactions.

Read more at Stanford (7 mins)

AI will soon be able to audit all published research – what will that mean for public trust in science?

The Conversation - July 24, 2025

The scientific community faces challenges in maintaining integrity amid rising questionable research practices, but advancements in AI offer promising tools for enhancing transparency and self-correction. As the reliability of scientific literature is scrutinized, embracing these technologies can help rebuild public trust and redefine the narrative around scientific discovery.

Read more at The Conversation (5 mins)

Trump’s Comments Undermine AI Action Plan, Threaten Copyright

PublishersWeekly.com - 

The White House has unveiled a comprehensive 23-page AI strategy document aimed at accelerating AI integration in government and addressing regulatory barriers, while former President Trump advocates for a federal standard on copyright laws to support AI development. In tandem, bipartisan efforts in Congress seek to protect the rights of artists and creators against potential misuse of their works by AI companies.

Read more at PublishersWeekly.com (7 mins)

Editorial: It’s about time for transparency in peer review

Chemical & Engineering News - July 28, 2025

Nature has announced a new policy requiring links to peer review comments in all manuscripts to enhance transparency, amid a growing "peer review crisis" due to reviewer shortages and compensation issues. The editorial suggests adopting a fully open peer review model to incentivize quality feedback and improve accountability, while also inviting readers to share their thoughts on potential improvements.

Read more at Chemical & Engineering News (4 mins)

Emerald Publishing launches new platform

Research Information - July 22, 2025

Emerald Publishing has launched the new Emerald Insight platform, enhancing accessibility and sustainability while offering a wealth of academic resources, including over 400 journals and 7,000 books. Developed with Silverchair, the platform aims to meet evolving customer expectations and will continue to evolve, incorporating flexibility in subscription and open research models.

Read more at Research Information (2 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