G/O Media publishing AI-generated stories despite employee outcry
G/O Media, a media company that runs popular sites such as Jezebel, the Onion, and Gizmodo, is facing criticism from staff members for publishing error-filled articles written by AI bots. Despite the outcry, G/O Media stands by their decision and plans to release more AI-written content in the future, according to an internal memo obtained by Vox.
These machine-generated stories, which first appeared on multiple G/O sites earlier this month with bylines like “Gizmodo Bot,” have been riddled with mistakes. For instance, a chronologically inaccurate list of Star Wars movies and shows was published on Gizmodo, containing over a dozen errors. Editors and reporters were not given the opportunity to review the articles before they went live and were only notified shortly before publication, as reported by the Washington Post.
Merrill Brown, G/O Media’s editorial director, acknowledged that there would be errors in the AI content and assured employees that it would not replace the work of human writers and editors. He stated in a company memo, seen by Vox, that the AI bots alone are not consistently reliable when it comes to facts. However, he reiterated that G/O Media has no intentions of discontinuing the publication of AI-written stories.
The decision from G/O Media’s leadership has received harsh criticism from the union representing G/O employees. In a statement, the GMG Union expressed their concern that AI-generated content undermines the work of journalists, erodes trust in their ability to report accurate news, and poses a threat to their job security. Other news sites, such as CNET and Buzzfeed, have already abandoned their experiments with AI-written content due to numerous errors and inaccuracies.
Despite the backlash, Brown and G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller remain committed to using AI in their content production. Brown stated that they want to continue this practice and that top editors will review the AI-generated content before publication in the future. Spanfeller added that it would be irresponsible not to test AI technology.
However, G/O Media’s journalists are deeply unhappy with the decision. According to employees, the bot-authored stories have negatively affected morale, and some view the move as a cost-cutting measure that aims to replace real journalism with machine-generated content.
FAQs:
Q: What media company has faced criticism for publishing error-filled AI-written stories?
A: G/O Media, the company that operates Jezebel, the Onion, and Gizmodo.
Q: Have the staff members at G/O Media raised concerns about AI-written content?
A: Yes, the staff members have criticized the publication of what they perceive to be “computer-generated garbage” and have expressed their concerns to the company’s leadership.
Q: How did G/O Media respond to the staff members’ complaints?
A: Merrill Brown, G/O Media’s editorial director, acknowledged that there would be errors in the AI content but insisted that it would not replace the work of human writers and editors. He also stated that the company has no plans to stop publishing AI-written stories.
Q: Did other news sites try AI-written content?
A: Yes, other news sites, including CNET and Buzzfeed, experimented with AI-generated content but discontinued the practice due to significant errors and inaccuracies.
Q: How do G/O Media employees feel about the bot-authored stories?
A: G/O Media journalists are discontented with the AI-written stories, viewing them as a disaster for morale and a potential replacement for real journalism. Some employees see this as a cost-cutting measure that undermines their work and threatens their job security.
G/O Media proceeds with AI-generated storytelling despite internal disagreement from employees
A media company, known for running popular sites such as Jezebel, the Onion, and Gizmodo, is facing backlash from its staff as it continues to publish error-ridden articles written by AI bots. Despite protests against what employees have referred to as “computer-generated garbage,” G/O Media executives are standing their ground, announcing plans to release more AI-written content in the near future.
According to an internal memo obtained by Vox, the recently introduced machine-generated stories, bearing bylines like “Gizmodo Bot,” made their debut on multiple G/O sites earlier this month. One such article, a chronology of Star Wars movies and shows published on Gizmodo, contained over a dozen mistakes, with items placed in the incorrect order. Editors and reporters were not given the opportunity to review the content before it went live and were only informed of its publication hours beforehand, as reported by the Washington Post.
Addressing employees, G/O Media’s editorial director, Merrill Brown, acknowledged the errors but assured the staff that AI-generated content would not replace the work done by human writers and editors. In a company memo seen by Vox, he stated that AI bots “alone (currently) are not factually reliable/consistent.” However, Brown, in an internal email, made it clear that the company had no intentions of ceasing the publication of AI-written articles, according to LinkedIn.
The decision to continue with AI-generated stories did not sit well with the union representing G/O employees. In a statement, the GMG Union criticized the company’s leadership, emphasizing that AI programs are notorious for creating false information and plagiarizing the work of real journalists. They argued that relying on machine-generated content undermines the trust built with audiences over decades, damages the reputation of journalists, and puts their jobs at risk.
Other news platforms, including CNET and Buzzfeed, previously experimented with AI-written content but swiftly abandoned the endeavor due to high error rates and inaccuracies. However, G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller defended the decision, stating that it would be irresponsible not to continue testing AI. Speaking to Vox, Brown expressed his determination to pursue AI-authored stories, adding that top editors would now review the content before publication.
The use of AI bots to produce content has caused employee morale to plummet, with some journalists describing it as a “disaster.” Critics of the decision argue that the company is primarily seeking cost-cutting measures and attempting to replace genuine journalism with machine-generated articles. Despite the concerns raised, G/O Media executives show no sign of wavering, instead emphasizing their commitment to expanding the use of AI in their content production.