Execs fired after AI scandal at SI

?? Scathing Jesse Pantuosco essay on gross botification and the once-legendary Sports Illustrated (thanks Gregory Galant for the newsletter link ?? ). It occurs to me that such spammy malfeasance isn't AI generated and "brands" aren't responsible. People are. Human reporters exposing flagrant automated slop being served up to the public must keep chasing accountability and naming names. To wit, Ross Levinsohn is CEO of the The Arena Group, Ben Faw is CEO of AdVon Commerce, and Mike Reed is the? CEO of Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK (nee New Media Investment Group, nee Gatehouse Media). Were they asked for comment? https://lnkd.in/gSzrHDVN #generativeai #journalism #media

Take media brand w/ print-era pedigree –> create phony writers w/ bogus biographies –> pump out AI-generated buying guides –> monetize by affiliate links As content creation costs drop down to zero, we'll be seeing a variety of crappy business models like this over the coming years ??

'Volleyball can be a little tricky to get into, especially without an actual ball to practice with.' This quote, attributed to Drew Ortiz in a recent Sports Illustrated article, opens a window into a profound shift in the landscape of sports journalism. The catch? Drew Ortiz doesn't exist. He's a pseudonym for an AI writer, marking Sports Illustrated's foray into #ai-generated content. This move, reportedly spurred by third-party writers, is a stark deviation from Sports Illustrated's legacy of profound, human-driven sports writing. Drew Ortiz's byline represents more than just technological innovation. It signifies a pivotal moment where the lines between human and machine-authored content begin to blur in a prestigious publication known for its rich journalistic tradition. The introduction of AI writers like 'Ortiz' raises serious questions about the authenticity and credibility of content. While AI offers unparalleled efficiency, it also threatens to erode the trust that publications like Sports Illustrated have built over decades. As we step into an era where AI can mimic a journalist's writing, it's imperative for media outlets to tread carefully. Preserving the integrity and human touch in sports journalism is essential. The challenge is not just to integrate AI seamlessly but to do so without compromising the journalistic standards that form the backbone of credible media. Sports Illustrated's move, symbolized by the mysterious Drew Ortiz, is a harbinger of change, urging us to reflect on how we value and uphold the principles of true journalism in the AI age. #SportsJournalism #AIInMedia #SportsIllustrated #JournalisticIntegrity #FutureOfJournalism" https://lnkd.in/dJwYhH7m

#AI stories in 2023: The author that didn't exist. I don't know that's worse in this story. The fact that the publication didn't disclose they were using AI to create content, or that their didn't check the quality of that content? One of the articles warned that volleyball "can be a little tricky to get into, especially without an actual ball to practice with". Bad for #AI, for consumers and for the business. https://lnkd.in/eAsNdkd5

This is downright sad with a touch of intriguing cleverness. I mean if this was not the iconic Sports Illustrated we grew up with but instead a newly launched 3.0 publisher that fully disclosed their journalists were AI Journalists then we might think it’s incredibly intriguing? What’s you POV on AI Journalism’s future? https://lnkd.in/gKg6gBxp

What happens when you publish content written by AI and lie about it to your readers? Sports Illustrated is finding out the hard way. ("Allegedly" ?? ) After being called on it by a journalist, SI admitted to using a made-up author name, fake (and rather bizarre) boilerplate, and an AI-generated image for the questionable articles, but the odd writing style, bananas claims, and funny formatting suggest the content has robot feet too. Also, so says an inside source. ??♀? Don't lie to your people, folks. You might be pumping up your rookie content numbers but it's not worth the reputation damage. Your readers are clever. They'll spot it a mile away. And you'll only end up taking it back down in shame. (Allegedly...) Read the article from Futurism ?? https://lnkd.in/gHxkdy2c Shout outs ??: Thanks to friend and colleague Graeme Parton for sharing!

Sports Illustrated is at the center of a controversy after using AI-generated writers to produce stories. The question arises: would there still be a controversy if they simply referred to these stories as written by 'AI reporters'? Check out the link for more details. #AI #SportsJournalism #Controversy

Sports Illustrated has been caught publishing AI-generated content that also featured AI-generated headshots of fictional authors of the story. The practice occurred because Sports Illustrated has a contract with a third party to create and produce website content rather than author its own journalism. The contract itself should be the subject of significant concern to readers and advertisers. The failure to vet the content of the subcontractor raises a second issue of journalistic ethics and professionalism. The breach of that contract by the provider, which is reported to have dumped AI content into the prestigious sports and news site is only the third set of concerns that should be addressed. And of course, none of the use of AI was disclosed - nor were the stories actually vetted. As the journalistic community demands protection from Big Tech and existential threats of fake news expand in anticipation of the 2024 election, poor corporate decision making like that at Sports Illustrated should give pause. Publishers - and their advertisers - should do more.