The author uses the example of Bloomberg, which has automated earnings headlines and summaries since 2013 and 2018 respectively, allowing its human journalists to focus on more interesting work. The author suggests that while the use of AI in journalism may not be ideal in all cases, it could potentially be beneficial if it allows human journalists to focus on more valuable work. However, the author also notes that this depends on the organization's commitment to quality journalism, which may not be the case for SI.
Key takeaways:
- Sports Illustrated has been found to be using AI-generated bylines and possibly AI-written stories, a discovery made by tech site Futurism's reporter Maggie Harrison.
- The Arena Group, which leases the Sports Illustrated brand, denied the stories were AI-written and blamed the existence of the fake bylines on a contractor, AdVon Commerce.
- The use of AI in journalism raises questions about what aspects of the profession should be defended from automation. The author argues that AI could be used for mundane tasks, freeing up human journalists for more complex work.
- However, the author also notes that the use of AI in this way is not a solution for organizations that do not value quality journalism, as appears to be the case with Sports Illustrated.