Can AI apps replace newspaper reporters, editors?
This past week, with my grandson having numerous AMI (alternative methods of instruction) assignments due to the closing of the schools because of ice and snow, we experimented a little with an AI (artificial intelligence) app to assist him in doing some of his homework assignments. He thought it was great to experiment with an app that could make his schoolwork less work for him even though we explained to him that using such an app to get out of doing his own work and learning is kind of … well, cheating!
But, if students are allowed to use calculators and computers to solve math problems and spell check and grammar apps to correct their writing assignments, translator apps to read and speak foreign languages, how big of a step is it to tell an AI app to do your homework assignment for you?
Anyway, I was kind of amazed at what the app could do and wondered if it could be used in the newspaper business and if it could even replace me or at least make life easier when deadlines are approaching and more content is needed — maybe on those weeks when snow and ice cancel almost everything.
To find out, I decided to give it a try. I typed in the following instructions to the ChatAI Assistant: “Write an editorial piece explaining how artificial intelligence could replace news reporters and editors in producing newspapers.”
In less than 30 seconds, the following editorial piece printed out on my iPad screen:
“In the modern age, technology is advancing and changing the world, but never has it been so clear that any profession could be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). Over the past five years, AI has become increasingly useful in terms of journalism and editing; it has been used to write sports summaries, summarize long articles, flag errors and more. Now, AI is being proposed as a replacement for news reporters and editors in producing newspapers.
“The idea of AI taking over daily journalism tasks is both exciting and daunting. On the one hand, AI technology can write stories quickly, flag errors, link stories with related articles, and even do preliminary research, all tasks that reporters, editors, and other staff members are traditionally responsible for performing. On the other hand, the work of journalism requires a level of critical thinking and experience that no AI could replace.
“AI could revolutionize how newspapers are produced. AI-generated stories could be written faster, and with fewer mistakes. AIassisted editing could ensure that all articles follow a specific style guide, and remain accurate and free from bias. AI can also help identify stories that are likely to be popular with readers, and then prioritize stories accordingly.
“At the same time, AI cannot replace the experience and knowledge that reporters and editors possess. Journalists must have an understanding of the news, an ability to discern truth from fiction, and keen insights into their target audience. No AI technology can match that level of expertise and creativity. Additionally, AI producing news stories could lead to bias in reporting, because the underlying algorithms would prefer certain types of stories over others.
“Overall, AI could be a useful tool for newspaper production, but it could never replace the unique skills of reporters and
editors. AI could be used to reduce errors, flag potential bias, and ultimately contribute to the process of producing an accurate and unbiased newspaper. However, human journalists are still needed to provide the insight, creativity, and critical thinking that comes only with years of experience.”
Well, this sounds pretty realistic. However, some other queries I tried last week proved AI was also capable of presenting some unbelievable falsehoods in a rather convincing fashion — at least if I’m not actually the head of a mechanical engineering company in Texas, as well as a leading real estate agent and several other things I don’t recall ever doing. And, I was relieved to know that AI is not ready to replace me just yet.
I’ve heard of an AI app passing the bar exam but don’t know if any have passed state boards for physicians. The apps can spell out all the steps for certain surgical procedures, too, but I’m not sure I’m ready to go under the knife of someone who asks an AI app how to perform a particular surgery and is then reading the directions on his iPad while performing the procedure.