Can AI save local news? The promise and peril of AI-powered journalism with Mark Riley

For decades, local journalism has been in decline—shrinking budgets, newsroom closures, and disappearing community coverage have left behind what experts call "news deserts." But could AI change that? Could it actually help rebuild local news, making it more accessible, efficient, and sustainable?

This week on The Media Copilot, I sat down with Mark Riley, former Senior VP of Innovation at Dow Jones and founder of Mathison AI, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of journalism. Mark has been at the forefront of AI-driven media transformation for years, long before ChatGPT disrupted the industry. His company, Mathison AI, has developed a tool called Hana, which generates hyperlocal newsletters at scale—delivering customized, community-specific news with just a fraction of the effort traditionally required.

While this sounds like a promising breakthrough, it raises critical questions:

🔹 Can AI actually replace—or enhance—local journalism? With newsrooms gutted across the country, AI-generated reporting could fill gaps, but will it uphold journalistic integrity?🔹 How do we prevent AI from creating "news slop?" Without human oversight, AI-generated content can be bland, generic, or even misleading. What safeguards are needed to ensure quality and accuracy?🔹 Who controls the future of media? As AI tools become more prevalent, Silicon Valley’s influence over journalism grows. How do we make sure AI serves the public good rather than corporate interests?🔹 The ethical dilemma of automation: AI can help scale news production, but what happens to the journalists? Is there a way to integrate AI without sacrificing jobs and local expertise?

This is a conversation about AI’s potential to solve one of journalism’s biggest crises—but also a reality check on the risks that come with automating news.

🎧 If you care about the future of media, press play now to hear my discussion with Mark Riley on The Media Copilot!

The Media Copilot is a podcast and newsletter that explores how generative AI is changing media, journalism, and the news.

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