Google has launched a private program aimed at supporting independent news organizations by providing access to a beta generative artificial intelligence platform. In return, Google requests feedback from these publishers to enhance the tools further. This initiative allows news outlets to create a specified amount of content over 12 months using the AI tools provided by Google, alongside receiving a monthly stipend that amounts to a substantial five-figure payment annually.
Participating publishers are granted complimentary access to tools for generating content that resonates with their audience’s interests. Google emphasizes that these AI tools are designed to assist small local publishers in producing high-quality journalism using factual content from public sources like government information offices or health authorities. It is crucial to note that these tools do not aim to replace journalists’ essential role in reporting, creating, and fact-checking articles.
Publishers involved in the program are required to publish three stories daily, one newsletter per week, and one marketing campaign each month. The process involves curating news and reports from relevant websites on subjects of importance to their readers. These curated articles appear on the “platinum dashboard,” where the generative AI platform helps summarize and adapt the style of the story into a news article format. Following this, human editors review the content for accuracy before publication.
While some criticize Google’s private program for potentially replacing human journalists, others express concerns about AI-assisted stories leading readers away from original sources without adding new information. The program’s guidelines prohibit AI-generated articles from covering facts not previously reported elsewhere, limiting their appeal among premium publishers who prioritize originality.
Adweek highlights that the beta tools enable under-resourced publishers to efficiently create aggregated content by summarizing reports from various organizations such as government agencies and neighboring news outlets. A Google spokesperson clarifies that the program is still in its early stages of exploring ways to provide AI-enabled tools to support journalists without replacing their vital role in journalistic practices.
Overall, Google’s initiative aims to empower small news organizations with advanced technology while upholding journalistic integrity and respecting established reporting standards. By leveraging AI tools responsibly, publishers can enhance their content creation processes without compromising on accuracy or originality in delivering informative news stories to their readership.
