Nows and Forevers

I’m a journalist. Is a robot coming for my job?

Even if I wasn’t a sci-fan, I might be more than alarmed by the story published in The Sun today about CNET’s use of AI-written stories on its website.

I’ve been fascinated (and yeah, a little nervous) by the possibility that an algorithm might be employed to write articles and leave me without a career someday. It’s not out of the realm of possibility: Bloomberg, Reuters, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times have all published AI-generated stories, and not just recently. The rise in natural language AI and data-driven stories have made this possible, if not universal, for years. At least 18 years ago I wished I knew computer science and programming enough to be able to start a company like this.

The Sun’s article, on the Drudge Report, puts it this way: “AI Secret: Artificial intelligence replaced humans in job role for months and ‘no one noticed.’” It says that CNET published 73 AI-generated articles since November.

I’m not worried. Judging from what I know about journalism and the kinds of stories referenced, if AI can do those types of stories, mostly explainer and fact-based articles, more power to it. And 73 articles since November is hardly a big workload. I myself have written 1 articles for publication since Dec. 1 plus hundreds of other words for things that aren’t published yet. (Not to mention this blog, especially this 2,500-word remembrance. There isn’t an AI around that could have come up with that.)

Many of the articles required me to make a few phone calls, reach out to people over Zoom and Teams, ask complicated questions and take down answers, follow up, and analyze what what said and what I know about the topic. Sometimes, I had to drive and then get out of the car and walk around. I don’t think AI yet has those skills.

So I’m not worried. At least not yet. An earlier Sun story, and they must be quite fixated on this, says that a certain type of AI can churn out a sparkling essay or op-ed piece in minutes. I can’t do that.

I’m actually not against AI in the newsroom. I can see it being helpful in sifting through large tufts of data, helping journalists glean insights that may not be immediately apparent, much like they do for radiologists and other physicians. And I also even see a role for AI in writing some types of stories, the kind that are rote, like stock prices and earnings reports.

Rather than taking jobs from journalists, AI would help them spend less time feeding the beast of daily deadlines, and focus on stories and projects of higher value to editors and readers.

What’s not to like about that?