Tech in journalism: The Associated Press issues guidelines for journalists on using AI technology

In a recent development, renowned news organisation Associated Press (AP) has unveiled a set of guidelines to assist its journalists in effectively utilising generative AI technology for news gathering purposes. The move comes as various news organisations, including the AP, explore the potential of AI in journalism.

AP's Vice President for Standards and Inclusion, Amanda Barrett, clarified that the organisation doesn't view AI as a replacement for human journalists. Instead, AP aims to provide its reporters and editors with guidelines on how to make the most of this technology without compromising the essence of journalism.

Responsible use of AI

In addition, she said that Journalists for AP are welcome to experiment using ChatGPT, but are urged to use caution and refrain from using the software to produce anything that can be published. Any output from a generative AI platform should be treated as unvetted source material and be covered by the current AP sourcing policies.

Barrett highlighted the licence agreement that the AP and OpenAI signed last month, which allows the developer of ChatGPT access to the AP's database of news items dating back to 1985. Access to OpenAI's portfolio of goods and technology is granted to the media outlet in exchange for the agreement.

According to the journal, AI-generated pictures won't be used unless they are the focus of a news item, and it will not be permitted to edit photographs, videos, or audio. If that happened, AP promised it would caption any images created by AI.

Maintaining Integrity & verification

Journalists utilising AI tools are prohibited from incorporating confidential information into their AI-generated content. Additionally, they are advised to ensure that the sources they refer to are free from any AI-generated content. AP's staff is actively encouraged to verify the accuracy of the information they obtain through AI channels, thus preventing the inadvertent spread of misinformation.

Influence & collaboration in the industry

AP holds a prominent position in the news industry, with many other media outlets basing their writing style on the AP Stylebook. The organisation's stance on AI could have a significant impact on the ongoing debate regarding AI's role in journalism. Interestingly, while setting these guidelines, AP has also entered into an agreement with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, allowing the use of AP's news stories to train AI models.

AP is already employing automated tools to swiftly produce content on financial reports and minor sports events, further integrating AI into its workflow. The organisation is part of a collective effort alongside other news entities to urge transparent practices in training AI models.

Leading news agencies deploy AI for news

Prominent news organisations like Reuters, The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, The Financial Times, and Agence France-Presse (AFP) have successfully integrated AI into their operations. They utilise AI for diverse tasks, including content creation, data analysis, automated reporting, and language translation, streamlining news delivery.

In a significant development, News Corp. Australia's executive chair, Michael Miller, announced that the company generates 3,000 articles weekly using generative AI. This technology-driven approach aids in crafting localised stories about weather, fuel prices, and traffic conditions, enhancing news dissemination efficiency.