Exploring the Possibilities of AI-Generated News: Google Tests ‘Genesis’ Tool for Journalists
Artificial intelligence has proven its influence across various fields, including customer service, business operations, academics, and entertainment. Now, newsrooms are also exploring its potential. Several prominent news publications, such as The New York Times, NBC News, and Gizmodo, have recently embarked on their own AI initiatives. Adding to this trend, Google has unveiled its latest AI tool, Genesis, which has the ability to generate news articles.
According to a report by The New York Times, Google introduced the new product to some of its executives, the Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal’s parent company, News Corp. Genesis appears to be a working name and not final. The tool is not only aimed at managing the newsroom and writing articles, but also acts as a personal assistant for journalists, according to the report.
Google introduces artificial intelligence in its news writing
Citing anonymous sources, the report also mentions that Google believes its new AI tool is a “responsible” technology and an alternative to the generative AI “snog”. Although more detailed information on how this tool works is not available, it aims to free up journalists’ time by automating some tasks and improving the efficiency and productivity of newsrooms.
However, some managers were reportedly unimpressed with the tool. While one called it “unsettling”, two others said: “It seemed to take for granted the effort that went into producing accurate and skillful news”.
Google spokeswoman Jenn Crider defended “Genesis” in a statement to The Verge, saying the company is in the early stages of exploring ideas with news publishers that could provide AI-powered tools for journalists in their day-to-day work. .
“For example, tools that support artificial intelligence could help editors when choosing headlines or different writing styles. Our goal is to empower journalists to use these emerging technologies in a way that improves their work and productivity, just as we make assistive tools available to people in Gmail and Google Docs,” he added.
Will we see layoffs in news agencies in the near future?
The jury is out on this one, but attempts to integrate AI into newsrooms have so far not gone well. Earlier this month, Gizmodo attempted to write news articles using artificial intelligence. But unfortunately, one of its earliest efforts, an article on the chronological order of the Star Wars movies and television shows, contained “18 concerns, corrections and comments,” as the company’s associate editor said, as quoted by The Washington Post.
Even Crider explained in a statement that the AI tool was not intended to replace journalists. He said: “These tools are simply not intended to, and cannot, replace the central role journalists play in reporting, creating and fact-checking articles.”
Based on this, it looks like Google is taking a safer approach and instead of positioning its Genesis tool as an AI editor, it’s introducing it as an AI assistant for editors.
It will be interesting to see if major publications start to adopt this tool, as the media industry has had its share of problems with Google through the News app. In addition, Google is also fighting a lawsuit against Gannett, a US media publication, claiming that Google’s monopoly on the digital advertising market is hurting local publishers.
Because of these issues, Google may need to do a lot more to make its AI tool more appealing. Maybe it should ask AI for this problem as well.
