The untold story of how computers forever changed election night
Apr 29, 2024
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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ira Chinoy discusses how computers transformed election night in 1952, marking a shift towards more accurate predictions. The podcast explores the evolution of election night coverage, the application of historical lessons to AI in newsrooms, and the importance of countering misinformation in elections.
In 1952, computers revolutionized election night predictions in journalism, marking a pivotal convergence of technology and news.
The accurate UNIVAC prediction of Eisenhower's win highlighted the initial skepticism towards technology in election forecasting.
Deep dives
The Advent of Data Journalism in Election Night Reporting
The podcast delves into the roots of data journalism on election nights, tracing back to the pioneering work in predicting election outcomes with the use of computers. In 1952, the collaboration between the emerging computer industry and TV news aimed at attracting viewers by employing computers for election result predictions marked a revolutionary step in journalism and technology convergence.
The Performance and Impact of Early Computer Predictions
Early computer predictions on election night in 1952 were remarkably accurate, with the UNIVAC anticipating Eisenhower's win by a landslide. Despite the success, there was initial disbelief and hesitation among engineers and journalists, showcasing a significant turning point in embracing technology for election forecasting.
Lessons for Future Innovation and the Role of Trust in Election Night Journalism
Looking back at the lessons from 1952, the podcast underscores the importance of collaboration beyond traditional journalism spheres and the implications for modern-day newsrooms in applying artificial intelligence. It highlights the ongoing challenge of trust in news and the critical need to combat disinformation, particularly in the context of news deserts and declining trust in local journalism.
In 1952, TV news producers needed an edge on election night. And they found it in new "fearsome contraptions" called computers. On POLITICO Tech, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ira Chinoy joins host Steven Overly to talk about his new book, “Predicting the Winner: The Untold Story of Election Night 1952 and the Dawn of Computer Forecasting.” They go inside that pivotal election night, and what it tells us about political journalism and technology today.