AI Assisted Reporting = Irrelevant Garbage

The Most Baffling Part of the Disaster Unfolding at the Washington Post

We should be paying attention to the story of the WA Posts’ attempt to save itself by creating a “third newsroom.” Especially the AI angle and "regression to the mean."

Here’s an insightful take on it from Slate’s Justin Peters:
The Most Baffling Part of the Disaster Unfolding at the Washington Post

Money quote:

”As of right now, the term “A.I.-assisted reporting” is basically just a euphemism for “irrelevant garbage.” While A.I. will assuredly get better over time, and while more journalistically relevant uses for the technology may well present themselves, as of right now the invocation of A.I. in a newsroom press release counts as a big, flashing “Beware” sign. I am all in favor of reinventing hard news and investigative reporting for the social media era. But the concurrent news about Lewis’ alleged attempted interference with the Post’s coverage of the phone-hacking story makes me wonder whether he can be trusted to safeguard the paper’s journalistic mission.”