AI Collaborations Spark Internal Debates and Innovative Trials

In a bold move that has captured industry attention, Guardian Media Group (GMG) recently announced a strategic alliance with OpenAI. This partnership, involving Guardian Australia along with its UK and US counterparts, positions the global news outlet alongside major names such as the Associated Press and News Corp in leveraging artificial intelligence for journalism.

Guardian's AI Partnership Explained

Under the new agreement, Guardian reporting and archival content will soon feature as a news source within ChatGPT. The arrangement will also see the publication of attributed short summaries and article extracts. Additionally, the rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise – a customized version of OpenAI’s model designed for businesses – is expected to drive the development of innovative products, features, and tools.

While this move promises to enhance feature offerings, it has raised concerns within Guardian Australia’s newsroom. Some staff members are worried about the potential impact on job security, the future utilization of ChatGPT Enterprise, and the broader ethical implications surrounding the use of AI technologies. These apprehensions are further amplified by references to controversial reports on the use of OpenAI models in geopolitical issues, such as Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Workplace Changes and Employee Consultation

Guardian Australia recently secured a new enterprise agreement after tense negotiations, keenly focused on protecting employees' interests amid technological changes. The agreement includes clear provisions addressing AI usage:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidelines
• The Guardian’s global principles on AI detail acceptable practices for generative AI (genAI) tools.
• Revised editorial codes offer straightforward guidance for journalists and contributors regarding genAI use.
• Clause 8 stipulates mandatory employee consultations before major workplace changes occur.

In a June 2023 article, The Guardian outlined its cautious approach to generative AI, emphasizing concerns about transparency and reliability, given that many genAI models are built on content harvested without explicit consent from their creators.

News Corp’s Foray into AI Tools

In parallel, News Corp is exploring AI applications in journalism with the trial of the transcription app Trint among select reporters. This initiative follows scrutiny over the use of Otter.ai, as it was previously tracked and subsequently blocked following company-wide assessments of AI tool usage.

Additional measures by News Corp include:

Disabling AI Tools

• Internal access to Google’s Gemini AI tool was halted, with notifications indicating that while the Gemini icon may appear, its functions have been deactivated.
• A warning was issued against the use of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek due to potential security and privacy risks. Employees were instructed to remove the app and refrain from using similar services on corporate devices.

Despite requests for clarification regarding the planned full-scale rollout of Trint, News Corp Australia has yet to provide a formal response.

Industry-Wide Context

Guardian Media Group’s decision to partner with OpenAI is part of a broader trend among major publishers. Alongside the Financial Times, Axel Springer, Hearst, and News Corp, several news outlets have inked similar licensing deals with the AI organization. Notably, other publishers such as The New York Times, Mumsnet, and The Intercept are actively pursuing legal action against OpenAI for using their content without permission during model training. Furthermore, Guardian Media Group recently joined a lawsuit against Canadian AI start-up Cohere Inc for alleged unauthorized content use.

The landscape of AI in journalism continues to evolve, with each development offering both unprecedented opportunities and ethical challenges. The debates within newsrooms and strategic corporate decisions underscore the delicate balance between innovation and maintaining responsible ethical standards in the digital age.