Much of the feedback I receive regarding our newsroom’s exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) has been predominantly negative, with concerns that we might hand over critical journalistic decisions to technology, thereby diminishing the human touch essential to reporting. However, this is a misconception. At our newsroom, we view AI as a tool—similar to how we use Microsoft Excel—to enhance our efficiency and improve the quality of the content we provide to you. Rather than replacing human journalists, AI serves to empower them so that they can deliver more valuable stories that matter to our readers.
To illustrate this point, I’d like to share a recent experience we had that highlights the beneficial role AI can play in journalism. Last weekend, we published a comprehensive piece detailing the purpose and status of all of Donald Trump’s executive orders since he took office in January. The response from our readers was overwhelming; the article was widely shared and praised for its thoroughness. It consisted of nine pages in The Plain Dealer, an undertaking that would have been quite daunting without the assistance of AI.
The idea for this project arose from numerous requests we received from our audience. Shortly after Trump assumed the presidency, I started receiving emails and texts asking us to provide a complete, up-to-date account of executive orders. These inquiries came from both supporters, eager to track the progress of campaign promises, and opponents, concerned about the potential impacts on democratic foundations.
As the number of executive orders grew, compiling them became increasingly complex. Had I assigned this task to a reporter, it likely would have taken weeks to complete. Instead, I encouraged our team to explore utilizing AI. Leila Atassi, the editor of our public interest and advocacy team, eagerly took on the challenge. She understands the transformative potential of AI in newsgathering and aims to stay ahead of the curve in adopting innovative practices.
Leila began by gathering the full text of all the executive orders, a significant amount of text. She then utilized AI to summarize them. This was the most labor-intensive part of the task, as it required extensive copying and pasting. Initially, the summaries produced were too lengthy, composed of five to six sentences each. To enhance accessibility, we needed them to be more concise—preferably, single sentences that captured the essence of each order. Once again, Leila turned to the AI engine, which successfully generated the more concise summaries we required.
Once we had these summaries, we aimed to provide context regarding the status of each executive order. Undertaking this individually would have been an exhaustive process, yet with the AI’s capabilities, we swiftly received summaries and corresponding links to reliable news sources. This allowed Leila to assemble a comprehensive list detailing the orders, their summaries, and their current statuses efficiently.
It’s important to note that this kind of project is not typically within Leila’s responsibilities. In addition to managing her team of reporters and editing community columns, she writes her own popular weekly column and is a regular on our “Today in Ohio” podcast. Her schedule is already packed, leaving little time for additional projects. However, thanks to AI’s assistance, she managed to complete this assignment in the spare moments she had, ultimately dedicating only about eight hours to it.
The result was the most shared story in the Plain Dealer last Sunday, accompanied by a wave of appreciation from readers. This project served as a testament to AI’s potential, allowing us to produce content more quickly and efficiently while maintaining a high standard of quality and relevance. When you see a note indicating that AI contributed to a story, it doesn’t imply that AI executed the work autonomously. Our dedicated reporters and editors oversee all published content, ensuring that the integrity and credibility of journalism are upheld. By integrating AI into our workflow, we can respond more effectively to reader queries and tackle stories that, in the past, might have overwhelmed our resources.
This experience exemplifies how AI can amplify the capabilities of our newsroom, allowing us to not only keep pace with the demands of our readers but also to exceed their expectations. By embracing AI as a supportive tool, we build a stronger foundation for journalism, one that marries technology with the human insights and ethics that remain at the core of our work.
As we move forward, it is essential to be aware of the dual roles that AI can play—both as a facilitator of efficiency and a potential source of unease for traditional journalism. Nonetheless, the key takeaway is that AI does not replace journalists; it serves as a collaboration tool that fosters creativity and innovation.
In conclusion, AI’s application in journalism is not about relinquishing control to machines but rather about harnessing technology to enhance our storytelling abilities. Our commitment to providing quality journalism remains unwavering, and with AI as a partner, we are equipped to address the complex narratives of our time with greater depth and agility. We invite our readers to continue on this journey with us, exploring how these advancements can enrich our shared understanding of the world. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out at cquinn@cleveland.com. Thank you for being an engaged and supportive audience.
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