The picture agencies are set to merge in a deal driven by the rise of AI technologies that are reshaping the visual content industry. Getty Images and Shutterstock are poised to combine in a $3.7 billion merger, a move driven by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence tools in the marketplace. This announcement was made against the backdrop of the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival, where both companies traditionally play a prominent role in capturing and distributing visual media. Getty Images, renowned for its global wire service photography and video offerings, partners with numerous news outlets and businesses, ensuring comprehensive…

The Albanese government’s new news bargaining incentive aims to ensure fair compensation for news outlets from large tech platforms, but concerns linger over its implementation and impact on smaller publishers. The Australian government has introduced a new initiative known as the news bargaining incentive (NBI), aimed at compelling large digital platforms to remunerate Australian news outlets for their content. Announced on Thursday, the NBI follows the previous Morrison government’s news media bargaining code (NMBC) and is designed to close loopholes that allowed tech giants to minimise their payments to publishers. The NBI imposes a levy on digital platforms with Australian…

Bert Etling, a news editor in Southern Oregon, uncovers an AI-run outlet impersonating a local newspaper, raising concerns about authenticity in journalism. A small-town news editor in Southern Oregon has uncovered an AI-driven operation that is masquerading as a local news outlet. Bert Etling, who currently serves as the editor for Ashland News and has been a staple in the community for years, is finding himself embroiled in an ongoing conflict with a robotic entity producing content under the guise of the Ashland Daily Tidings. Etling’s journey began when he received unexpected notifications regarding the Daily Tidings, a paper which…

BuzzFeed’s sale of its food brand marks a strategic shift as the company tackles significant debt and repositions its business model. BuzzFeed’s decision to sell off its popular food and culture brand, First We Feast, for $82.5 million marks a significant shift in its business strategy as the company positions itself deeper into the realm of artificial intelligence-driven content production. The sale is part of BuzzFeed’s broader efforts to alleviate its mounting debt, which was reported to be nearly $124 million. The transaction is expected to reduce that burden by about $88.8 million, a crucial financial relief for the embattled…

Amazon introduces its AI model platform, Amazon Nova, which aims to revolutionise content creation and analysis while providing cost-effective solutions for publishers. Amazon has unveiled its new AI model platform, Amazon Nova, designed to enhance its competitiveness in the artificial intelligence sector against formidable players like Meta and OpenAI, known for ChatGPT. This initiative focuses on providing a suite of advanced tools that streamline content creation and analysis while significantly reducing operating costs. Amazon Nova comprises six distinct AI models capable of generating text, images and videos, as well as conducting document and graphic analysis. According to a press release…

The Sky News chief has been appointed as the president of the Society of Editors, succeeding Kamal Ahmed. Sky News’ Sarah Whitehead has been appointed as the new president of the Society of Editors, following her unanimous election during the Society’s annual general meeting on December 4. Whitehead, who has been with Sky since 2011, has held several significant roles, including Head of International News and Head of Home News, before being elevated to Director of Newsgathering earlier this year. Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society, expressed her support for Whitehead’s election, stating that her leadership in the industry…

A recent study from Columbia University highlights significant inaccuracies in OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search regarding news citations, with 153 of 200 evaluated responses found incorrect. OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search is reportedly facing significant challenges in accurately citing news publishers, as highlighted in a recent study conducted by Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism. This scrutiny arrives shortly after OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT Search, which had previously claimed extensive collaboration with the news industry to ensure proper attribution and visibility for publishers. The study’s findings raise concerns regarding the potential misquoting and incorrect attributions that could undermine the credibility of news organisations.…

The Norwegian news provider isn’t using synthetic voices to read out its articles, but instead has cloned the voice of one of its reporters. Aftenbladet has unveiled an innovative “cloned voice” feature designed to enhance the accessibility of its journalism, allowing readers to listen to articles rather than read them. This new service, driven by artificial intelligence technology, replicates the voice of journalist Ola Myrset, who has dedicated over 20 hours to recording 130 articles that form the basis of this initiative. Launched in a beta version, the service will undergo a two-week testing phase before a broader rollout. The…

Gert Ysebaert, the media group’s CEO, is leaning in to AI as an agent of transformation, while focusing on core journalistic values. Gert Ysebaert, CEO of Mediahuis, is at the forefront of media transformation as he leads efforts at the multinational publisher to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. In an interview with The Drum, Ysebaert shared insights into the company’s recent growth and the role that AI is playing in shaping the future of journalism. Ysebaert noted that over half of the company’s subscribers now consume content digitally or through a hybrid of digital and print options. The focus…

A report from the House of Lords issues warnings about local news deserts and declining trust in media amid tech advances. The UK’s news landscape faces significant risks of fragmentation along social, regional and economic lines within the next five to ten years, according to a report released by the House of Lords. The report, titled “The Future of News,” represents the first findings from the Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee’s inquiry into the potential trajectories for news dissemination in the face of technological advancements and shifting public trust. The committee’s analysis highlights the alarming growth of “local news deserts,”…