Google is experimenting with a platform that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to generate news articles. Reportedly, the tech giant is now presenting the idea to major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and News Corp, which is the parent company of The Wall Street Journal.
Project Genesis
The software is codenamed "Genesis" internally. Sources in the New York Times said the tool can process data, such as information related to recent events, to produce new stories.
Apparently, the search giant regards it as a responsible technology that might help lead the publishing business away from the perils of generative AI. The firm believes it could act as a type of personal assistant for journalists by automating certain jobs to free up time for others.
Two individuals who are familiar with the matter said that it appeared to overlook the work that went into making the news reports they read factual and artistic.
Google representative Jenn Crider confirmed in a statement that the company is "in the earliest stages of exploring ideas to potentially provide AI-enabled tools to help their journalists with their work" in collaboration with news publishers, particularly smaller publications.
She added that these tools quite simply could not replace the vital function that journalists play in gathering information, developing narratives, and verifying their accuracy. In its place, these tools may provide other headline and text styles.
Revolutionizing Journalism Industry
Professor of journalism and media analyst Jeff Jarvis said there were pros and cons to Google's new tool as it was presented.
"If this technology can deliver factual information reliably, journalists should use the tool." However, he warned that if journalists abuse the tech in contexts that call for sensitivity and cultural awareness, "it could damage the credibility not only of the tool but of the news organizations that use it.
The question of whether or not to implement AI technologies into newsrooms is a hot topic in media outlets everywhere. Employees at top news organizations, such as The Times, National Public Radio (NPR), and Insider, have been informed of their plans to explore possible applications of AI.
Journalists who have been producing their own articles by hand for decades will understandably feel threatened by Google's new tool.
This innovation comes as governments all across the globe have urged Google to share more of its advertising profits with the news media.
Following a failed attempt by the Australian government in 2021 to compel Google to enter into negotiations with publishers over compensation, Google expanded its News Showcase initiative to include partnerships with news organizations from across the world.
