How AI is Revolutionizing Journalism at Berrow’s Worcester Journal
Berrow’s Worcester Journal, the oldest surviving newspaper, is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their reporting methods. They have hired 'AI-assisted' journalists who utilize an in-house copywriting tool based on ChatGPT technology. With AI handling mundane content, reporters can focus on more engaging aspects of journalism. Newsquest, the second largest regional news publisher in the UK, has employed eight AI-assisted reporters across various newsrooms. The AI tool does not generate content; instead, journalists input trusted information that is then transformed into concise news reports. These advancements in AI are reshaping the future of journalism.
AI-Assisted Reporting at Berrow’s Worcester Journal
Berrow’s Worcester Journal, the world's oldest surviving newspaper, is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a way to enhance their reporting methods. As one of several publications owned by Newsquest, the second largest regional news publisher in the UK, the journal has recently hired 'AI-assisted' journalists who utilize an in-house copywriting tool based on ChatGPT technology. This cutting-edge technology enables the journalists to produce concise news reports in the publisher's style by inputting mundane but necessary 'trusted content.'
By utilizing AI-assisted reporters, Berrow's Worcester Journal is able to free up their human reporters to focus on more engaging aspects of journalism. The AI tool handles bread and butter content, such as minutes from a local council planning committee, giving the human reporters the freedom to attend events, conduct interviews, and investigate stories firsthand. Stephanie Preece, the editor of Worcester News, sees AI as a valuable tool that complements traditional reporting rather than replaces it.
The Role of AI in Newsrooms
Newsquest, the publisher of more than 200 titles including the Glasgow Herald and the Brighton and Hove Argus, has made significant strides in incorporating AI into their newsrooms. In the past year, they have hired eight AI-assisted reporters across the country. These reporters use an in-house copywriting tool based on ChatGPT technology to transform trusted content into concise news reports. This technology allows for greater efficiency and enables human reporters to focus on more in-depth investigative work.
AI reporters cannot replace human reporters when it comes to being on the scene of a crash, attending court hearings, or engaging with the community. Their primary function is to handle mundane content and free up reporters for tasks that require human interaction and intuition. The goal is not to replace human journalists with AI, but rather to find ways to harness AI technology to enhance and streamline the reporting process.
The Future of AI in Journalism
As AI continues to evolve and advance, its role in journalism is expected to become more widespread and accepted. Newsquest's CEO, Henry Faure Walker, believes that AI-assisted roles have already proven invaluable in certain situations. For example, during an important news event in Hexham Courant, an AI reporter was able to handle the majority of reporting, freeing up a human reporter for more in-depth investigations. Jody Doherty-Cove, head of editorial AI at Newsquest, predicts that in the future, AI will be a commonplace tool in newsrooms, much like the internet is today.
While some concerns exist regarding the accuracy of AI-generated content, Newsquest ensures that their AI tool does not generate content on its own. Trained journalists input reliable information, which is then edited and reviewed by news editors. This system reduces the risk of inaccuracies and maintains the quality of journalism. The use of AI tools, when paired with rigorous training and ethical guidelines, has the potential to revolutionize journalism by allowing reporters to focus on the stories that matter most.
