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You’re going to see more AI-written articles

 

You’re going to see more AI-written articles whether you like it or not

Why G/O Media is pressing ahead with bot-written content.

If you’re anything like me, you read this headline and thought, “No shit Sherlock.” But Peter Kafka is a very smart man so I knew there must be more going on here and it turns out that a media company already burned by dodgy AI-generated content looks set to double down on the tech.

Earlier this month management at G/O Media – the publisher of Gizmodo, the Onion, and Jezebel – decided to put out four stories that had been almost entirely generated by AI. The stories, complete with multiple errors, ran without input from G/O’s editors or writers, drawing fury and scorn in equal part.

But, you know, those guys just don’t have enough beans to count and according to an internal memo, G/O executives are planning to create more AI content soon. Managers at the company told Peter Kafka that they, and everyone else in media, should be learning how to make machine-generated content. If I can beat the beans analogy to death, may they reap what they sow.


 

The Los Angeles Times is definitely either for sale or not for sale

Despite denials, don’t be surprised if control passes from billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong sometimes soon. But it’s not necessarily bad news.

It looks like the billionaire owner of the LA Times might have had enough. Last week, Patrick Soon-Shiong sold sister paper the San Diego Union-Tribune to Alden Global Capital – a company Josh Benton calls ‘the news industry’s closest analog to a serial killer’. Now there are rumours of a deal that would bring The Times into the PMC Media portfolio with Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and Variety. Rich boys and their toys ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


 

GB News star Dan Wootton unmasked in catfishing scandal

In the first part of its three-year special investigation, Byline Times reveals the accounts of victims targeted by the powerful TV presenter

Dan Wootton does not sound like a nice man. We kind of knew that from his GB News anti-woke BS, but this investigation exposes a darker side. You can read all the sordid details in the Byline Times. But what makes this sleazy story worthy of a spot in today’s newsletter is the fact that his employers past and present have ignored his behaviour while engaging in a vicious witchhunt of other media personalities accused of much less. Another hit to media trust.


 

Does VR still have potential for publishers?

VR may have under-delivered so far, but there are some who still believe in the technology and are encouraging journalists to embrace it.

I feel like we’ve been talking about the potential for VR at Media Voices since forever. Chris is a big believer and was pretty bummed by the Metaverse fiasco. I thought maybe this report in Press Gazette might cheer him up, but I struggled to find anything different other than a call to “jump on the bandwagon now”. Give us a reason people, just give us a reason.


More from Media Voices

 

Big Noises: Ricky Sutton on publisher valuations, AI, and bears

Ricky Sutton talks about the frenemy relationship of publishers and platforms, the role of AI, and how to talk your way into covering a war.

 

Info: The Publisher Newsletter Summit and Publisher Podcast Summit

Find out more about the Publisher Newsletter Summit and Publisher Podcast Summit from the Media Voices team

 

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Like Austin Kleon says, the Media Voices Podcast is free, but it’s not cheap. Become a supporter of The Media Voices team today! Monthly subscriptions and one-off contributions help us keep going.

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