Sports Illustrated Publisher Fires CEO After AI Scandal

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Dec 12, 2023

Image copyright: Cindy Ord/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images (July 21, 2021)story last updated Dec 12, 2023

The Facts

The Arena Group, publisher of Sports Illustrated, ousted CEO Ross Levinsohn on Monday, weeks after a report exposed the company for publishing articles written by fake authors with AI-generated headshots and biographies.
The Arena Group did not provide details as to why Levinsohn was terminated but said in a statement that its board "took actions to improve the operational efficiency and revenue of the company." Manoj Bhargava, the founder and CEO of Innovations Ventures which makes the five-hour energy drink, was named as the company’s interim CEO.

The Spin

Narrative A

Sports Illustrated was once the gold standard for sports journalism, and it still employs some of the world's best writers — of the actual human variety. However, this scandal of using artificial intelligence to create stories written by fake people is an utter disgrace to journalism and a slap in the face to illustrious and seasoned writers. Not only does AI produce inferior work, but it also casts a division between an outlet and its readers. Consumers are skeptical of AI for a reason, and the journalism industry should not replace talented writers with AI-generated avatars.

Boston.com

Narrative B

While public backlash is focused on Sports Illustrated for using AI-generated authors to write stories, the larger focus should be on the entire industry of journalism. The fact is that journalism has undergone serious transformations throughout history, especially since the digital age. Change comes rapidly, and we are now in the age of artificial intelligence. While it may be a sad development for some, the use of AI authors is a natural progression as technology advances, and Sports Illustrated shouldn’t be singled out for this broad trend of changing times.

Wyoming Tribune Eagle