News Corp Australia is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to generate approximately 3,000 local news stories per week.
News Corp Australia is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to generate approximately 3,000 local news stories per week. This initiative is led by the company’s Data Local team, which employs AI technology to produce articles about weather, fuel prices, and traffic conditions for its 75 hyperlocal mastheads across Australia[3]. The AI-generated stories are overseen by journalists to ensure credibility and accuracy, although there is no explicit disclosure in the articles indicating their AI origin[3].
News Corp’s executive chair, Michael Miller, revealed that the company has been producing a staggering 3,000 news articles through the use of AI weekly, focusing on hyperlocal topics[3]. This represents a remarkable breakthrough in the realm of AI advancements and has significant implications for the media industry.
The AI-powered news generation is part of the Data Local team’s efforts to supplement content written by reporters for the company’s hyperlocal mastheads[3]. The initiative is seen as a way to provide service information, updating local fuel prices daily, court lists, traffic and weather updates, and death and funeral notices[3].
Miller emphasized that the appeal of local news draws in a significant portion of News Corp’s subscribers, with 55% of all subscriptions driven by their hyperlocal mastheads[3]. The company believes that if journalists can generate seven new subscriptions per week, their salary is justified by the revenue generated[3].
News Corp’s adoption of AI in news generation reflects a growing trend in the media industry, with many newsrooms in Australia exploring ways to harness AI’s potential[3]. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is focusing on AI applications that enhance content accessibility, such as transcription of audio content, AI voice-powered text-to-speech delivery of articles, translation, and personalized recommendations[3].
However, the use of AI in journalism also raises ethical concerns, with News Corp’s global CEO, Robert Thomson, warning against the potential “tsunami” of job losses and the generation of “rubbish” content[5]. The company’s local staff have also expressed concerns about the use of AI, with some calling for more transparency and oversight[5].
Despite these concerns, News Corp’s use of AI in local news generation is seen as a significant development in the media industry, with potential benefits for both the company and its subscribers[3]. As AI technology continues to evolve, it poses both opportunities and challenges for the media industry, raising questions about content authenticity, journalistic oversight, and the future of news production and consumption[3].
