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,”…

The Hawaiian newspaper has discontinued its AI news hosts, James and Rose, after two months due to viewer complaints over their monotone delivery and strange behaviours. The Garden Island newspaper in Hawaii has announced the discontinuation of its AI host bots, James and Rose, after only two months of operation as news presenters. The decision to terminate the AI bots followed widespread viewer criticism regarding their performance, which was powered by technology from the Israeli firm Caledo. Audiences found the hosts’ speech patterns unnaturally monotone and their non-verbal cues unnerving. Reports indicated that James and Rose delivered news with a…

Marina Walker Guevara, Pulitzer Center’s executive editor, discusses the integration of new technology and collaborative efforts between newsrooms that are shaping modern investigative journalism. Marina Walker Guevara, the executive editor of the Pulitzer Center, is at the forefront of transforming investigative journalism through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and collaborative efforts among journalists across the globe. In an interview with La Nacion, she addressed the intersection of traditional investigative practices and emerging technologies, highlighting the profound changes currently underway in news publishing and content creation. Walker Guevara, originally from Mendoza, Argentina, began her journalism career at the local newspaper…

A recent study reveals that 46% of Norwegians are sceptical about AI-generated news, despite quality assurance by journalists. A significant portion of the Norwegian population is wary of news content produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a recent survey conducted by the Media Businesses Association (MBL). The findings suggest that 46 per cent of Norwegians express scepticism regarding AI-generated news, even when the content has undergone quality assurance by professional journalists. Randi Øgrey, the Managing Director of MBL, said the results highlight a pressing need for media organisations to enhance their communication regarding the use of…

The news wires service is using AI translation to provide real-time access to premier financial news in South Korea. Dow Jones Newswires has officially launched its inaugural AI-powered language service in South Korea, as part of its strategic expansion into non-English speaking markets catering to the business and financial community. The service offers users real-time access to premier financial news, and the company says it is a big step in Dow Jones’s ongoing efforts to deliver a tailored news experience to meet local market demands. The Dow Jones Korean Language Service leverages a custom technological framework designed to facilitate effective,…

The Finnish media company is extending its trial of AI weather reports to full hosting on its Loop station. Sanoma Media, a prominent Finnish multi-platform media company, has partnered with Radio.Cloud to launch a virtual host known as Anni for the afternoon drive program on Loop, one of its radio stations. Anni, developed by Voicetrack.ai, is an AI-based virtual host that brings a new dimension to Loop’s programming, which previously aired without a host. The AI voice behind Anni is modelled after Satu Kotonen, the programme director for HitMix, Loop’s sister station. Kotonen emphasised the importance of authenticity, clarity, and…

The US financial newspaper is trialling a Key Points box to enhance reader engagement. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has embarked on a trial of AI-generated article summaries, marking its latest venture into integrating technology within journalism. The experimentation involves a Key Points box placed prominently at the top of news stories, designed to encapsulate the essence of the article in bullet points. This initiative aims to evaluate how readers interact with and benefit from AI-driven summaries. Each Key Points box includes a notice clarifying the involvement of artificial intelligence in creating the summary. It reassures readers that despite the…

The core algorithm update reveals significant shifts in search results, with AI citations increasingly aligning with organic searches, according to analysis by SEO firm BrightEdge. Google’s core algorithm update, launched earlier this month, appears to have brought convergence between organic search results and the results delivered through the search giant’s AI Overview feature. Enterprise SEO platform BrightEdge is actively monitoring this update’s impact on keyword search results, with a keen eye on trends emerging in Google’s AI Overview (AIO) and organic search. The ongoing observations provide crucial insights into Google’s evolving approach to its search algorithms, particularly regarding the integration…

As AI technology continues to evolve, content creators must be sure to comply to search engine requirements. AI-powered content creation tools have become increasingly popular, with well-known tools like ChatGPT leading the charge. These tools offer a plethora of advantages that content creators find invaluable. These include the ability to produce content quickly, improve the quality and optimisation of written material and increase efficiency and scalability. Additionally, these tools facilitate consistency in content creation, assist with keyword research and enhance branding through producing polished, error-free content. However, the rise of AI in content generation is not without its challenges. A…