WGAE Slams G/O Media's AI Article Experiment
The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) has demanded an immediate end to the use of AI-generated articles by G/O Media, following what the union calls an ill-considered trial period. According to WGAE, several unionized sites published AI-generated pieces last week, filled with inaccuracies and even ethnic slurs. G/O Media currently hosts an array of industry-leading media outlets, including The Onion, A.V. Club, Deadspin, and Gizmodo.
In the midst of contract negotiations involving the use of artificial intelligence between the major Hollywood studios and the Writer's Guild, along with the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) talks, this demand from WGAE echoes a wider industry concern. Representing roughly 100 staffers at G/O Media, the union claims its members urged against this development to no avail, despite protecting the integrity of the work they produce under challenging conditions.
As quoted in their full statement, "'Last week, G/O Media published AI-generated articles on several unionized properties, embarrassing staff who work hard under untenable conditions to fill websites with relevant, accurate, and engaging journalism…'", shedding light upon how artificial intelligence, ill-prepared for such a task, undermines and threatens the authenticity and quality of content.
Despite the backlash and widespread negative media coverage, however, a representative from G/O Media reported these AI articles entailed "success," in an interview with The Washington Post.
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Let's be real, as we step back from the plastic plant that such a controversy grows from, we're looking at an odd form of Franken-bot journalism where AI compiled articles make regular, human journalists feel a bit like they're standing in a hall of wonky funhouse mirrors, my friends.
It's no surprise that this dust-up is happening now; artificial intelligence is akin to that promising intern suddenly given a shot at the main story. AI stepping into the world of journalism feels - are you ready for it? - phony, fake, and perhaps more than a bit unsettling. And if they leap into such significant roles in an already delicate industry, are they dangling on the precipice of 'Uncanny Valley?' Cue the dramatic music.
While we may guffaw at the occasional typo or errant autocorrect on our phones, the 'word salad' served by these AI generated articles - complete with a dollop of ethnic slur - is showcasing to us all that even if AI can play chess, driving narrative isn't on the menu. For now.
In all earnestness, journalism is an art, an endeavor of passion. It's the result of tireless professionals distilling the noise of the world into digestible, thought-provoking content. AI may be the new kid on the block, accused of 'cannibalizing' the hard work of these industry stalwarts, but it's certainly got several rounds to prove itself before it's championship-ready.
So pull up a chair, dear reader, and let's watch this plot unfold. It's Hollywood after all; algorithm or not, the show simply must go on.
