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On October 7, 1779, a disgruntled reader wrote to Berrow's Worcester Journal, dispelling a false report about a man falling into a vat of boiling ale. More than two centuries later, the journal, claiming to be the world's oldest surviving newspaper, is once again making headlines, this time for embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its reporting capabilities.
As the media landscape evolves, traditional news outlets, including Berrow's Worcester Journal, are exploring innovative ways to stay relevant and resilient.
Berrow's Worcester Journal is part of Newsquest, the UK's second-largest regional news publisher, which oversees more than 200 titles, including well-known publications like the Glasgow Herald and the Lancashire Telegraph.
In response to the changing journalistic landscape, Newsquest introduced AI-assisted reporters nationwide in several newsrooms. This innovative approach aims to streamline news production, allowing human reporters to focus on more complex, nuanced, and in-depth stories.
The AI reporters at Berrow's Worcester Journal utilise an in-house copywriting tool based on ChatGPT technology. Unlike traditional AI systems that generate content independently, this tool requires input from trained journalists who provide 'trusted content,' such as minutes from local council planning committees.
The AI then transforms this input into concise news reports, maintaining the publisher's editorial style.
Stephanie Preece, the editor of Worcester News, emphasizes that AI doesn't replace human reporters but instead enhances their efficiency.
AI handles mundane tasks like summarising meeting minutes, allowing reporters to engage in more immersive, human-centric aspects of journalism, such as attending events, interviewing individuals, or conducting investigations.
Newsquest's CEO, Henry Faure Walker, highlights the success of AI-assisted reporting during a significant event at the Hexham Courant in Northumberland. The AI system played a crucial role in maintaining news coverage, allowing human reporters to focus on investigative work and storytelling.
While AI adoption in journalism raises concerns about accuracy, Jody Doherty-Cove, head of editorial AI at Newsquest, assures that extensive training and a new code of conduct are in place to address these concerns.
Despite the skepticism surrounding AI in journalism, industry experts predict that AI will become an integral newsroom tool.
Jody Doherty-Cove anticipates that terms like 'AI-system reporter' will become as obsolete as 'internet-assisted reporter' sounds today. The Guardian and other major news organisations have outlined principles to guide the responsible use of AI, emphasising caution and care in its implementation.
Journalism faces numerous challenges, with newsrooms often understaffed, overworked, and struggling with declining revenues. Major media outlets, such as Reach, have implemented AI to alleviate some of these challenges.
While fears of job displacement persist, industry leaders like Jim Mullen, CEO of Reach, assert that AI is not the cause of job cuts. Instead, it is seen as a tool to assist reporters in coping with the increasing demands of the evolving media landscape.
In this era of transformation, those who embrace change may find themselves better equipped to carry the torch of journalistic integrity into the next chapter of news reporting.