Google is testing an AI tool that can write news articles
TechCrunchAug 04, 2023
The Facts
Google is reportedly testing a product – known internally as Genesis – that can use artificial intelligence (AI) to produce news stories, and the company has pitched it to several news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal owner NewsCorp.
A Google spokesperson said the technology is in its early stages, but it could be used as a tool that “enhances” reporters’ “work and productivity” but won’t “replace the essential role” of journalists.
The Spin
Narrative A
You can’t stop progress. Many news organizations have already started using AI in their content creation or they’ve begun considering how best to integrate AI into their newsrooms. Rather than looking at Genesis as a threat, journalists should look at it as Google responsibly developing a tool that will enhance their work and make them more productive.
Narrative B
AI must be kept out of the newsroom. Time and again, the technology has proven it can’t be trusted to produce factual reports the way human journalists can. Not only should media outlets be leery of Genesis’ accuracy but also Google’s intentions, considering its history of harvesting intellectual property for its financial gain at the expense of content providers.