Rosenheim’s media industry is undergoing a transformation, where monotonous, repetitive tasks are being simplified through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). At the forefront of this change is Max Partelly, head of PR-Editorial at OVB24, who serves as the go-to person for all things AI in media applications.
Since November 2022, OVB24 has started experimenting with ChatGPT, a dialogue-based AI operating on a Large-Language-Model (LLM). LLMs are capable of understanding, generating, and responding to human language after being trained on vast amounts of text data, making them versatile tools for various language-related tasks.
Max Partelly, affectionately nicknamed “GPTelly” by his colleagues, began exploring the practical uses of AI soon after ChatGPT became available to the public. His initial tests were mixed – amusing yet filled with inaccuracies. Despite the rocky start, Partelly recognized the technology’s potential. For instance, the process of crafting repetitive PR articles based on a template was expedited from taking about half an hour each to mere minutes after he instructed the AI on the general article structure and adjusted only the topics.
Under Partelly’s guidance, OVB24 has not only utilized ChatGPT but also crafted a suite of bespoke tools designed for simplicity and efficiency, earning the third-place award at the Global Media Awards.
Human-AI synergy at OVB24 saves time and spares sanity, paving the way for quality journalism. Artificial intelligence has not replaced the writing team but has relieved it of mundane tasks, like reformatting or summarizing press releases into news briefs. Such automation allows journalists to focus on in-depth reporting and investigation, the core of OVB24’s mission.
While the integration of AI into journalism is viewed with caution by some, Partelly acknowledges the risks of advanced AI that can convincingly generate video and audio. Nevertheless, at OVB24, AI is harnessed responsibly to enhance journalistic productivity without compromising the integrity and creativity of the human staff.
Important Questions and Answers:
– How is AI being integrated into journalism at OVB24?
AI at OVB24 is being used to perform repetitive tasks, such as reformatting press releases and creating standard PR articles, which allows journalists to dedicate more time to in-depth reporting.
– What are some key challenges or controversies associated with AI in journalism?
There are ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content blurring the line between human and machine-produced journalism, the potential spread of misinformation, and the potential job displacement of journalists. There is also the challenge of maintaining editorial oversight and ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated content.
– What are the advantages of using AI in journalism?
The advantages include increased efficiency in completing monotonous tasks, enabling journalists to focus on more complex and investigative work, personalized content for readers, and the potential for new storytelling techniques and formats.
– What are the disadvantages of using AI in journalism?
The disadvantages include potential job displacement, the risk of introducing biases if the AI models are not carefully monitored, the possibility of errors in AI-generated content, and concerns about the erosion of journalistic skills.
Key Challenges or Controversies:
One of the chief controversies in integrating AI into journalism is the fear that AI may replace human journalists. While AI can streamline certain tasks, there is an ongoing debate about whether AI should be used to generate full-fledged articles, as this raises questions about authorship and the soul of journalism itself. Issues around AI-generated misinformation and the difficulty in discerning AI-generated content from that created by humans are also pivotal.
Maintaining the quality of journalism is another challenge, as reliance on AI can lead to a degradation of the traditional skills associated with journalism, such as critical thinking and investigative prowess. There is also the question of biases inherent in AI, as AI systems can perpetuate or amplify existing societal biases if not properly trained and managed.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages of integrating AI into daily journalism include:
– Increased Efficiency: AI can significantly reduce the time taken to perform routine tasks.
– Focus on Quality: Journalists have more time for research, interviews, and crafting in-depth stories.
– Cost Reduction: Over time, AI can reduce operational costs by automating tasks traditionally done by humans.
– Innovation: AI can introduce new methods of content creation, distribution, and personalization.
Disadvantages include:
– Potential for Job Loss: AI might lead to reduced need for human manpower in some areas of journalism.
– Accuracy and Reliability: AI can generate errors or inaccuracies if not properly supervised or trained.
– Ethical Concerns: Misuse of AI in spreading misinformation or deepfakes can be detrimental to public trust.
– Editorial Control: The dependence on AI might weaken the editorial control over content.
For those interested in the broader topic of AI integration into media and journalism, additional resources may be found at the website of the Online News Association at journalists.org, which provides insights into digital journalism, including the use of AI, or the Knight Foundation at knightfoundation.org, known for its support of journalism and the arts, with a focus on fostering informed and engaged communities.