German publisher Axel Springer has said that journalists could be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the near future. The company, which owns some of Europe’s largest newspapers and magazines, believes AI will play an increasingly important role in news production.
Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner made the comments at a conference on digital transformation in Berlin last week. He argued that AI would soon be able to produce content as well as humans, if not better. “We are convinced that machines can write stories,” he said. “It is no longer science fiction.”
Döpfner went on to say that while human journalists still have an advantage when it comes to creativity and empathy, AI could take over many of their tasks such as fact-checking and data analysis. This would free up reporters’ time for more creative work or allow them to focus on other areas such as investigative journalism or opinion pieces.
The idea of using AI for news production is not new; companies like Automated Insights have been offering automated writing services since 2011. However, this is the first time a major media company has suggested replacing human journalists with robots – something which has sparked debate among industry experts about the implications for journalism ethics and quality control standards.
Some argue that relying too heavily on algorithms could lead to biased reporting or even censorship if certain topics are deemed unsuitable by software developers or publishers themselves – something which would undermine press freedom and public trust in media outlets worldwide. Others point out that automation also carries risks when it comes to accuracy: mistakes made by algorithms cannot always be corrected quickly enough before they reach readers’ eyes – potentially leading to misinformation being spread widely online without any checks from editors or fact-checkers beforehand .
On top of these concerns there are also worries about job losses; according to one estimate , around 20% of all jobs related to publishing may disappear due to automation within 10 years . While some believe this will create opportunities for those willing and able adapt quickly , others fear it could leave thousands unemployed with few prospects elsewhere .
Despite these fears however , many agree there are potential benefits associated with using AI technology in newsrooms ; including faster turnaround times , improved accuracy through machine learning capabilities , cost savings due reduced labour costs etc . It remains unclear how exactly Axel Springer plans implement its vision but whatever happens next one thing is certain : Artificial Intelligence will continue shape our lives – both inside outside media industry – long into future .
The Guardian
