Gizmodo staffers not happy with G/O Media’s AI-generated content

G/O Media, which owns the popular tech site gizmodo According to it, along with several other outlets, began publishing AI-generated articles last week, despite strong objections from several members of its staff. Washington Post, All articles are attributed to various bots – gizmodo For example, bots – without any other indication that the article was created using an AI chatbot. Not surprisingly, the stories required a lot of work.

internal reaction of gizmodofirst chatbot-generated story of – a chronological list Of star wars Movies that weren’t chronological—not exactly enthusiastic—reporters reportedly wrote in Slack that it was “actively damaging our reputation and credibility.”

Brown told staff in a E-mail G/O Media’s archive of technology outlets in late June said it was critical that it use AI in its coverage, saying that there would be errors, but they would be corrected immediately. The company has been sluggish since Thursday Washington Post Seen, Brown told the team in Slack that he “looks forward to thoughtfully gathering feedback and acting on it,” adding that better things will “come ahead as we wrestle with the best ways to use the technology.” ”

Again, staff reporters expressed dismay, with one describing the AI ​​as a “problem solver” and accusing Brown of “wasting everyone’s time”. Another pointed out that there was nothing in his job description that involved “editing or reviewing AI-generated content”.

gizmodo Deputy Editor James Whitbrook told Post In an interview he said that he had never encountered “this basic level of incompetence with any of the coworkers I’ve worked with”, adding that the chatbot’s inefficiency was also coming to the fore. star wars The movies in the correct order means that it cannot be relied upon to accurately report anything. Whitbrook said that he had not asked for the article, nor had he seen it prior to publication.

Post Reports that the articles were written using both Google’s Bard and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

G/O Media is one of several media companies that have experimented with AI-generated content over the past few months. cnet Recently began to shift its approach to AI after facing heavy media criticism over its use of the technology insider started it has its own use With ChatGPT in April.

GMG Union, which represents Gizmodo’author of and part of the Writers Guild of America, East, asked readers Do not click on any AI-written articlessaying that the articles were “unethical and unacceptable”.

We’ve contacted G/O Media for comment.

Disclosure: Vox Media’s editorial team, including The Verge, is also affiliated with the Writers Guild of America, East.