The Powell Tribune reporter CJ Baker discovered that a fellow reporter, Aaron Pelczar, was using generative artificial intelligence to help write stories for the Cody Enterprise. Pelczar admitted to using AI before resigning from the paper. The editor and publisher of the Cody Enterprise apologized for failing to catch the AI-generated content, acknowledging the potential dangers that AI poses to journalism.
The incident raised concerns about the use of AI in journalism and its impact on the integrity of news reporting. The Associated Press has been using AI technology to automate certain tasks, but reporters are not allowed to use generative AI to create publishable content. Some news outlets have faced criticism for using AI-generated content without disclosing it to readers, damaging their reputation.
Pelczar’s use of AI in articles included fake quotes from sources, leading to a full review of his stories by the Cody Enterprise. Seven stories were found to contain AI-generated quotes from six people, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the use of AI in journalism. Pelczar declined to discuss the matter with the media.
The Cody Enterprise is implementing a policy to recognize AI-generated stories and ensure they are not used in the future. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for news outlets to carefully monitor the use of AI in journalism to maintain ethical standards and build trust with their audiences.
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