Despite concerns about AI in journalism, Newsquest insists there are safeguards in place, including extensive training and a new code of conduct. The company's CEO, Henry Faure Walker, said the AI-assisted role proved invaluable during a major news event in Northumberland. Jody Doherty-Cove, head of editorial AI at Newsquest, predicts the use of AI in newsrooms will soon be widespread and uncontroversial.
Key takeaways:
- Newsquest, the UK's second largest regional news publisher, has hired eight "AI-assisted" reporters in the past year to report on local news.
- The AI reporters use an in-house copywriting tool based on the technology ChatGPT, which turns trusted content into concise news reports in the publisher's style.
- Newsquest's CEO, Henry Faure Walker, said the introduction of an AI-assisted role had proved invaluable at the Hexham Courant in Northumberland, freeing up other reporters to do more investigative work.
- Jody Doherty-Cove, head of editorial AI at Newsquest, predicts that soon the use of AI as a newsroom tool will be widespread and uncontroversial.