A reporter from the Cody Enterprise was caught using generative artificial intelligence to help write stories, leading to a scandal in the journalism industry. The publisher and editor of the Enterprise issued a public apology and are taking steps to prevent such incidents in the future. The use of AI poses potential pitfalls in journalism as it can generate articles that sound plausible but are ultimately false. The Associated Press, which uses AI to assist in certain news stories, prohibits the use of generative AI for creating publishable content.
The reporter involved in the scandal, Aaron Pelczar, admitted to using AI in his articles and resigned from the Enterprise. An investigation found that seven stories featured AI-generated quotes from six people. Pelczar has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. The incidents have prompted the Cody Enterprise to review all of Pelczar’s previous work to identify any additional AI-generated content.
The use of AI in journalism has raised concerns about the potential for misleading articles and the impact on journalistic integrity. The AP and other news outlets are transparent about the use of AI in their reporting to maintain credibility. The Cody Enterprise has since implemented policies to prevent the use of AI for writing stories. The industry is now exploring ways to regulate the use of AI in journalism to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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