Axios expands local newsletter operations with OpenAI funding

Axios is set to expand its local newsletter operations from 30 to 34 cities, a move that is partially funded by OpenAI. This initiative is part of a broader trend within the news publishing sector as it adapts to technological innovations, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence.

The expansion will see Axios extend its coverage to cities including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri; Boulder, Colorado; and Huntsville, Alabama. This geographic expansion is facilitated by a three-year funding deal with OpenAI, which enables Axios to enhance its local journalism footprint. Simultaneously, OpenAI will utilise Axios-generated content to inform its AI systems, improving the accuracy and relevance of user query responses.

Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios, said: “We launched Axios Local nearly four years ago with the bold goal of bringing local news to communities across the country. OpenAI’s investment allows us to continue our expansion and aid us in bringing essential local news to deserving audiences.”

Despite the potential synergy between local reporting and AI, VandeHei has sought to reassure Axios employees that the new technology will not be employed in the production of news stories themselves. This assurance comes at a time when the industry is increasingly scrutinising the implications of AI on journalism jobs, raising concerns about the potential for reduced human involvement in reporting. In a memo to the staff, he said that “the technology won’t be used for reporting stories”.

Axios joins a list of nearly 20 newsrooms that have already partnered with OpenAI, a move that, while promising for local news delivery, also prompts discussions about the responsibilities of tech companies in relation to copyright and content ownership. For instance, The New York Times has initiated legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright infringement, highlighting the tension between tech advancements in AI and traditional journalism practices.

As organisations like Axios look to balance innovation with ethical considerations, the landscape for news publishing continues to transform under the influence of AI. This evolution not only reflects the broader impacts of technology on journalism but also sets the stage for further exploration of the dynamic interplay between local news coverage and AI-driven content creation. With reporters numbers dramatically reduced across America, AI is regarded by some as a way of covering routine stories, allowing those reporters that remain to focus on high-value local investigations.