Google is exploring new artificial intelligence tools that can produce news pieces, and the tech giant is in talks with news organizations about using the tools to assist journalists, according to a company representative late Wednesday.
The names of the publishers in conversations were not provided by the spokesperson, but the New York Times reported that Google is in talks with the Wall Street Journal-owner News Corp, the Washington Post, and even the New York Times, among others.
As of now, a Google spokesman stated that these new AI tools can assist journalists by providing multiple writing styles and headline options, which “enhances their work and productivity,” adding that it was in the “early stages of exploring ideas.”
“Quite simply these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating, and fact-checking their articles,” stated the spokesperson.
However, a few executives who went through Google’s pitch characterized it as unnerving, according to the New York Times, who added that the executives did not want to be identified.
Using information, AI technology may make news copy
According to the New York Times, the AI tool that was sold to the executives was called Genesis internally at Google, according to sources familiar with the case.
According to the study, the technology may take in information such as current event facts and generate news copy.
A News Corp representative declined to comment on the AI tool or the NYT report, but stated, “We have an excellent relationship with Google, and we appreciate (Google CEO) Sundar Pichai’s long-term commitment to journalism.”
Jeff Jarvis, a media pundit and journalism professor, said the new tool of Google has potential upsides and downsides.
“If this technology can deliver factual information reliably, journalists should use the tool,” said Jarvis, who is the director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.
“If, on the other hand, it is misused by journalists and news organizations on topics that require nuance and cultural understanding,” he continued, “then it could damage the credibility not only of the tool but of the news organizations that use it,” he added.
The report was published days after the Associated Press said that it will be partnering with ChatGPT-owner OpenAI for exploring the use of generative AI in news.
