Google Talks With Publishers About Journalist AI Tools

Google is investigating the use of artificial intelligence tools to write news articles and is in discussions with news organizations to use the tools to assist journalists, according to a company spokesperson on Wednesday evening.

The spokesperson did not identify the publishers, but the New York Times reported that Google has held discussions with the Washington Post, News Corp (NWSA.O), the owner of the Wall Street Journal, and even the New York Times.

These AI tools could assist journalists with options for headlines or various writing styles, for example, in a way that “enhances their work and productivity,” according to a Google spokesperson, who added that the company was “earliest stages of exploring ideas”.

The spokesperson said –

“Quite simply these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating, and fact-checking their articles.”

However, some executives who witnessed Google’s pitch characterized it as unsettling, the New York Times reported, adding that the executives requested anonymity. Google’s internal name for the proposed AI tool is Genesis, the New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

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A News Corp spokesperson declined to comment on the New York Times article or the AI tool, but stated, “We have an excellent relationship with Google, and we appreciate (Google CEO) Sundar Pichai’s long-term commitment to journalism.”

The news comes days after the Associated Press announced it would collaborate with OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, to investigate the use of generative AI in news, a deal that could serve as a model for future collaborations between industries.

Some media outlets are already using generative AI for their content, but news organizations have been sluggish to adopt the technology due to concerns about its propensity to generate factually inaccurate information and the difficulty in distinguishing between human and computer-generated content.