According to a report from The New York Times, Google is currently testing a new AI technology codenamed “Genesis,” which has the ability to generate news articles. The tech giant showcased the tool to The Times, as well as executives from The Washington Post and News Corp (owners of The Wall Street Journal). Genesis can create written content based on the data it is fed, whether it pertains to current events or other types of information. Google envisions that journalists could use Genesis as an assistant to automate tasks, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their work.
However, some individuals who witnessed the tool’s demonstration found it “unsettling.” Critics argued that it seemed to disregard the effort and skill required to produce accurate and reader-friendly articles. Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor at the City University of New York, suggested that journalists should only use the tool if it can reliably deliver factual information. Yet, since Genesis is still in testing, its actual capabilities and potential risks of misinformation dissemination are yet to be determined.
It’s worth noting that Google has been actively working on integrating AI technology, like Bard, to catch up with competitors like OpenAI, backed by Microsoft. However, the deployment of generative AI tech on platforms like Twitter has led to instances of misinformation, raising concerns about the responsible use of such tools.
Recently, some publications experimented with AI-generated content, but the results were not without issues. CNET, for example, had to issue corrections after discovering substantial errors in 77 machine-written articles published under the CNET Money byline. Similarly, Gizmodo’s io9 published a Star Wars piece filled with errors attributed to the “Gizmodo Bot,” and the editorial team had no opportunity to make corrections before the article was published.
Overall, while AI technologies like Genesis hold promise for improving efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in journalism, it is essential for developers and news organizations to approach their implementation with caution to ensure the preservation of journalistic integrity and accuracy.
