In an article published by the Cody Enterprise, the use of generative artificial intelligence to write stories was uncovered by Powell Tribune reporter CJ Baker. The article included fake quotes and nearly robotic phrases that raised suspicions. After investigating, it was revealed that a rookie reporter named Aaron Pelczar had used AI in his stories before resigning from the Enterprise. The publisher and editor at the Enterprise apologized and pledged to prevent such incidents from happening again, with an editorial acknowledging the mistake.
This scandal highlighted the potential risks and dangers that AI presents in journalism, as AI-generated content can be misleading and damaging to reputations. While AI can assist in automating certain tasks and translating stories, it should not be used to create publishable content, as seen in the Cody Enterprise case.
Pelczar had included AI-generated quotes in various stories, which led to a thorough review of his work by the Enterprise. Other reporters and editors missed these errors, showing a lack of oversight. The incident served as a wake-up call for the newspaper, leading to the implementation of a policy regarding the use of AI in journalism.
The use of AI in journalism, while offering potential benefits, also poses ethical challenges that need to be carefully addressed. Transparency about the use of AI in stories is crucial to maintaining credibility and trust with readers. The Cody Enterprise incident serves as a cautionary tale for news outlets to be more vigilant in monitoring the use of AI in their reporting processes.
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