Google is testing an AI tool to help journalists write news articles

On Thursday, July 20, the Internet giant confirmed that Google is developing a new artificial intelligence tool to help journalists write their articles, in partnership with several big names in journalism.

the The New York Times has just disclosed the information, specified to be part of the media in question, just like Washington Postthe Wall Street Journal and other companies. “We are in the process of exploring ideas for the possibility of providing artificial intelligence tools that will help journalists do their work.”said a Google spokesperson.

These tools are not designed – and cannot – replace the essential role journalists play in gathering and verifying information and writing stories.specially.

The idea is to design writing-assist features similar to those in Gmail or Google Docs, but tailored to journalists, such as offering different headings or writing styles. According to the The New York TimesInternally dubbed “Genesis”, Google’s project was described by media executives as “annoying”.

Fears

OpenAI, the California startup that created ChatGPT and another pioneer of so-called artificial intelligence “generative”It also recently struck deals with news organizations.

Thus, the data-intensive company needed to train its language models obtained permission to use the archives of the American news agency Associated Press (AP) since 1985.

In return, the AP will get access “For OpenAI’s technology and expertise”The two companies detailed it in a statement last week.

OpenAI will also give $5 million (€4.5 million) to the American Journalism Project, an organization that supports many local media outlets, and up to $5 million in credits for using its programming interface (API) thereby helping journalists integrate AI tools into their productions.

The huge success of artificial intelligence capable of generating all kinds of texts or images on a simple request in everyday language is causing a lot of anxiety among content creators (artists, authors, journalists).

Several complaints have been filed against the companies involved (including OpenAI). Professionals accuse them of using their content without consent or reward to fuel their computer software. They also fear that this program will eventually be able to replace them.