Google is testing an AI tool named "Genesis" that was designed to help generate news articles. In some strange Googly world, the idea is to relieve reporters from routine tasks, granting more time for other aspects of their work. Uh huh.
Genesis, which is being showcased to major news organizations (including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and News Corp) is seen by Google as a solution to balance the advantages of AI with the potential risks in publishing. Google's Jenn Crider stresses that "these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating and fact-checking their articles." Instead, Google says that Genesis could aid with headline generation and diverse writing styles.
AI is no stranger to journalism. News organizations (such as Bloomberg and The Associated Press) have used AI for corporate earnings reports and sports scores for years. However, not everyone sees benefits of automatic journalism – especially journalists.
AI can save you a lot of time. It can make you an editor (as opposed to an originator). It can help research (when properly constrained). But… can it write a well-researched, compelling article? Time – and rigorous testing – will tell.
As always, your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. -s [email protected]
P.S. How many of you took the time to watch the Fable Studios AI demo I wrote about yesterday? If you didn't, . Also… a few cynical peeps reached out to tell me that it was too good and had to be a hoax or a strange (and very expensive) joke. LMK what you think.
ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named he covers tech and business for , is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular . He's a , and the creator of the popular, free online course, . Follow or visit .
