Newsroom Robots

Agnes Stenbom, Sweden’s AI Person of the Year and Head of IN/LAB at Schibsted Media, discusses innovative approaches to journalism. She talks about transforming news into rap music to engage younger audiences and leveraging AI for personalized news experiences. Stenbom shares insights on ethical AI use and the challenges of fostering newsroom culture to embrace technology. She also emphasizes the importance of inclusion and collaboration in reshaping journalistic practices across the Nordic region.

Ritvvij Parrikh, Senior Director of Product at Times of India, joins host Nikita Roy to discuss how AI-powered personalization is transforming news distribution and why newsrooms need to rethink their approach to revenue optimization.Parrikh, who leads product development at India's largest English-language news organization, discusses their innovative approach to news personalization that increased click-through rates by 85% on web and 40% on mobile. His team developed a proprietary recommendation system that automatically optimized content distribution for individual readers. As an industry thought leader, Parrikh has been instrumental in demonstrating how newsrooms can build AI systems that balance editorial judgment with reader preferences while maintaining journalistic integrity.Key topics include:Building newsroom-specific recommendation systems that understand news cyclesThe critical importance of real-time data infrastructure for modern newsroomsWhy newsrooms should master focus on building the operational infrastructures to power AISign up for the Newsroom Robots newsletter for episode summaries and insights from host Nikita Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Schori is the Deputy Managing Editor and Associate Publisher at Aftonbladet, Sweden’s largest newspaper. He discusses Aftonbladet’s cutting-edge AI hub, which has transformed editorial workflows and enhanced reader engagement through initiatives like an EU election chatbot. Schori shares insights on analyzing gender representation in news coverage using AI and tackles the ethical challenges of integrating technology into journalism. His experience highlights the pivotal role of AI in evolving storytelling and audience interaction.

Dive into the intriguing world of AI in journalism! Discover ethical dilemmas and practical tools that can bolster newsrooms. Learn about innovative tech like Perplexity, OpusClip, and Google’s Pinpoint that enhance research and content creation. Hear insights on building AI literacy and partnerships between publishers and tech firms. Explore exciting opportunities for journalists in an AI-driven landscape, and get ready for the future of news with a focus on upskilling and robust data infrastructure.

Anna Eshoo, a prominent U.S. Congresswoman with over three decades in tech policy, dives into the complexities of AI regulation. She discusses the troubling trend of AI models training on news content without compensation, jeopardizing journalism's future. Eshoo highlights bipartisan efforts in Congress to democratize AI while addressing misinformation fueled by generative AI. She also raises vital concerns about job displacement and emphasizes the need for transparency in AI to build public trust and adapt to rapid technological changes.

Natali Helberger, Professor of Law and Digital Technology at the University of Amsterdam, joins host Nikita Roy to explore the complex ethical landscape of AI in journalism. In this conversation, they discuss everything from recommendation algorithms and filter bubbles to the EU AI Act and the future of responsible AI adoption in media.Recognized as one of the "100 brilliant women in AI ethics" to follow worldwide, Helberger is also the co-founder of the AI Media and Democracy lab at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on how AI and algorithms are transforming society and the media, with implications for law and governance. Helberger chairs the Council of Europe Expert Group on AI and Freedom of Expression and serves on the advisory board of the Reuters Institute for Journalism at Oxford. She regularly advises national and European policymakers, including the European Commission, European Parliament, and UNESCO. Key topics include:The ethical challenges of AI-driven personalization in newsThe importance of audience inclusion and feedback in AI systems for newsThe limitations of simply labeling content as "AI-generated" and the need for more meaningful transparencyAn analysis of the EU AI Act and its implications for media companiesSign up for the Newsroom Robots newsletter for episode summaries and insights from host Nikita Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Garance Burke, a global investigative journalist at the Associated Press, joins host Nikita Roy to discuss the crucial role of journalism in holding AI systems accountable and the challenges reporters face in covering this complex topic. Burke, a global investigative journalist with The Associated Press, has been at the forefront of investigating the power and impact of AI technologies on society. Her data-driven reporting has prompted federal investigations, cabinet-level resignations, and congressional hearings. Burke's Pulitzer Prize-finalist work inspired an Emmy-winning documentary with FRONTLINE PBS. As a 2020 Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence-John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford, she researched algorithms in government decision-making. Burke also led the development of the AI chapter in the AP Stylebook,  which provides journalists with best practices for covering AI models. Key topics include:Investigating algorithmic bias and the data behind AI systemsStrategies for reporting on AI's deployment and performanceEducating the public on AI biases and impacts on democratic processesThe need for balanced and informative reporting on AI to avoid hype AI's Impact on Elections and Voter ManipulationSign up for the Newsroom Robots newsletter for episode summaries and insights from host Nikita Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ole Reissmann, Director of AI at Der Spiegel, discusses the groundbreaking integration of AI in journalism at Germany's leading news organization. He shares how AI is automating tasks like fact-checking and enhancing SEO efforts. Ole highlights innovative audience-facing products, like audio updates and a browser plugin, that personalize news experiences. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration among German news organizations in driving AI initiatives and maintaining journalistic integrity amidst technological advancements.

Jaemark Tordecilla, Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, discusses the potential of custom GPTs for newsrooms. He shares experiences creating COA Beta Assistant for summarizing audit reports. Topics include streamlining journalism processes, integrating knowledge bases, democratizing AI access, and navigating model limitations.

Adrian Gill, former creative director and CEO, discusses the impact of AI in design, focusing on enhancing workflows, ethical considerations, and remaining competitive in an AI-driven landscape. The podcast explores AI's role in graphics, visual storytelling, and revolutionizing sneaker design.