## Google’s Latest Project: Utilizing AI for Story Production
Google, the technology behemoth, is allegedly giving publishers thousands of dollars in return for integrating its AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools into their story development processes. This step forms a part of the Google News Initiative (GNI), a scheme that has been supporting media literacy projects, fact-checking instruments, and other key resources for newsrooms for the past six years.
The AI Tools for Publishing
The AI tools involved in the program can generate new content, which is their primary function. The objective of these tools is to assist publishers, who may lack resources, in collating content more effectively. These tools collate newly published reports from diverse organizations such as government entities and nearby news outlets, subsequently summarizing and releasing them as new articles.
Publishers are reportedly awarded an annual sum in the five figures for utilizing these tools. In exchange, they are obligated to publish a minimum of three articles per day, a weekly newsletter, and a monthly marketing campaign utilizing these tools.
Contentious Elements of the Scheme
Interestingly, the publishers involved in the scheme are not obligated to disclose their use of AI. Moreover, the websites from which the content is garnered are not informed that their content is being used to create AI-generated articles on other platforms.
The AI-produced copy employs a color-coded system to signify the trustworthiness of each part of the text, aiding human editors in the review process before the content is published.
Google has asserted that these AI tools “are not intended to, and cannot, replace the indispensable role that journalists play in reporting, creating, and verifying their articles.”
Comparison with Facebook’s Prior Agreements
The agreement between Google and publishers is somewhat analogous to the deals previously struck by Facebook with publishers to produce live video content in 2016. Facebook transferred millions to publishers to promote its budding video platform. However, this strategy failed when Facebook realized it had vastly overestimated the viewership of such content.
The Final Word
Although Google’s AI scheme seems to be significantly smaller than Facebook’s former live video project, it is likely to provoke new debates around the use of generative AI tools by publishers. Outlets such as CNET and Sports Illustrated have received backlash for trying to pass off articles written by AI as human-produced pieces.
Queries and Responses
Q1: What is Google’s latest project with publishers?
A1: Google is allegedly offering thousands of dollars to publishers to incorporate its AI tools into their story production.
Q2: What is the function of these AI tools?
A2: These AI tools collate recently published reports from various organizations, summarize them, and publish them as a new article.
Q3: What amount do publishers receive for using these tools?
A3: Publishers are reportedly paid an annual five-figure sum.
Q4: Are publishers obligated to disclose their use of AI?
A4: No, publishers involved in the program are not required to disclose their use of AI.
Q5: How does this agreement equate to Facebook’s prior agreements with publishers?
A5: This deal is somewhat similar to the agreements Facebook previously had with publishers to create live video content. However, Google’s AI project seems to be much smaller than Facebook’s past live video initiative.
