Unveiling the Enigma: AI-Generated Journalism Raises Questions at Gannett

Staffers at Reviewed, a USA Today-owned website, discovered articles published on the site by unknown writers using suspiciously similar language. Some of the authors did not appear to exist, raising suspicions that the articles were produced by artificial intelligence (AI). Reviewed employees, who are unionized through the NewsGuild of New York, allege that the articles are an attempt by parent company Gannett to undermine workers. Gannett denies the use of AI and claims the articles were created through a deal with a marketing firm to generate paid search-engine traffic. However, Reviewed staffers point to clues suggesting AI involvement, and the marketing firm openly states its use of AI solutions. This incident follows previous questions about Gannett's AI practices, including an experiment with AI-generated high school sports coverage.