TL;DR:
- An Irish daily newspaper apologized for unknowingly publishing an article written by an AI-powered guest writer.
- The newspaper described the incident as a “deliberate and coordinated deception.”
- The editor acknowledged the need for stronger pre-publication controls in light of generative AI.
- The article discussed Irish women’s use of fake tans from the perspective of a writer named Adriana Acosta-Cortez, who turned out to be partly generated by AI.
- The writer’s Twitter profile criticized the Irish Times for lacking a better screening process.
- The true identity of Acosta-Cortez remains unknown, but Twitter users applauded the hoax and questioned the publication’s credibility.
- Another magazine, Die Aktuelle, faced legal action after publishing an AI-generated interview with race car driver Michael Schumacher.
- A Wall Street Journal reporter utilized AI to create a virtual clone of herself, raising concerns about AI-driven impersonation.
Main AI News:
An Irish daily newspaper found itself in an unexpected predicament as it issued an apology to its readers following the inadvertent publication of an article authored by a guest writer utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to craft the piece. The Irish Times, in a statement released on May 14, lamented being victimized by what it described as “a deliberate and coordinated deception.” Editor Ruadhán Mac Cormaic conceded the necessity for fortified pre-publication controls, acknowledging that the incident highlighted one of the key challenges posed by generative AI for news organizations.
The article, which appeared on the morning of May 11, delved into the topic of Irish women’s use of fake tans, offering insights from the perspective of a writer named Adriana Acosta-Cortez, who identified herself as a “young immigrant woman in Ireland.” Mac Cormaic revealed that the purported author had engaged in dialogue with the editorial team, providing both research findings and personal anecdotes. However, subsequent investigations uncovered that the article and accompanying byline image were, at least partially, generated by AI technology.
The writer’s Twitter profile resurfaced a link to the now-removed article through the internet archive, taking the opportunity to criticize the Irish Times and call for an improved screening process. While the true identity behind Acosta-Cortez remains undisclosed, Twitter users chimed in on the post, praising the elaborate hoax and commending the profile for “exposing” the publication. One user expressed a loss of trust in the Irish Times, vowing never to read their content again.
It is worth noting that the Irish Times is not alone in facing scrutiny over AI-related content in recent times. On April 14, a German magazine named Die Aktuelle published “the first interview!” with race car driver Michael Schumacher since his severe brain injury in 2013. However, it was swiftly revealed that the interview had been generated by AI, prompting legal action from Schumacher’s family against the publication. Furthermore, a Wall Street Journal reporter recently utilized AI to create a virtual replica of herself, capable of deceiving both her bank and close relatives—a development that has raised concerns about the potential for AI-driven impersonation.
Conlcusion:
The incident involving the Irish Times and the publication of an article authored by an AI-powered writer highlights the evolving landscape and potential risks associated with the use of generative AI in the news industry. It serves as a reminder for news organizations to strengthen their pre-publication controls and verification processes to avoid unintentional dissemination of AI-generated content.
This incident also underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and trust with readers, as the exposure of such deceptive practices can erode credibility and loyalty. As AI technology continues to advance, it is imperative for market players to remain vigilant, adapt their strategies, and strike a balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and upholding journalistic integrity.
