Germany’s largest circulated newspaper, Bild, plans to replace a significant number of its journalists with Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs in an effort to cut costs and shift towards digital production. Parent company Axel Springer is expected to cut down on staff by 17% and switch to digital platforms by 2023 to save €100m.
While the move to automation in journalism is not new, this marks a significant reduction in traditional news gathering and reporting. Some jobs will be retained for human editors to oversee the AI-produced content, but roughly 70 journalists are expected to lose their jobs. This has sparked concern over the survival of print publishing if it becomes economically unfeasible to produce these products.
Axel Springer CEO, Mathias Döpfner, stated that while cost-cutting is a crucial factor after the pandemic, transformation to digital platforms was a change that was already in the works. Taking advantage of technological progress is not an act of self-optimization – it’s first and foremost a question of journalistic relevance, he explained.
However, sustaining journalistic standards with AI-produced content is a question that remains unanswered. It is imperative for companies to ensure that they are not sacrificing standards and reliability for the sake of going digital and automation, said a media expert. Without the human touch, there is a risk of misinformation being disseminated and people not being able to trust the content being produced.
The shift to digital platforms is expected to further intensify news competition, with traditional news outlets competing against social media, blogs and other digital sources for readers, leading to further pressures on profitability. However, the trend towards automation is not expected to end anytime soon, with more media outlets expected to follow suit in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to the Above News
What is Bild planning to do with its journalists?
Bild plans to replace a significant number of its journalists with Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs in an effort to cut costs and shift towards digital production.
How much is Axel Springer expected to save with this move?
Axel Springer is expected to save €100m by cutting down on staff by 17% and switching to digital platforms by 2023.
Will there be any human editors retained after this move?
Yes, some jobs will be retained for human editors to oversee the AI-produced content.
How many journalists are expected to lose their jobs?
Roughly 70 journalists are expected to lose their jobs.
What are the concerns over this move?
The move has sparked concern over the survival of print publishing if it becomes economically unfeasible to produce these products. Also, without the human touch, there is a risk of misinformation being disseminated and people not being able to trust the content being produced.
What did Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner say about this move?
Axel Springer CEO, Mathias Döpfner, stated that taking advantage of technological progress is not an act of self-optimization - it's first and foremost a question of journalistic relevance.
How will this move affect news competition?
The shift to digital platforms is expected to further intensify news competition, with traditional news outlets competing against social media, blogs, and other digital sources for readers, leading to further pressures on profitability.
Is this trend towards automation expected to end anytime soon?
No, the trend towards automation is not expected to end anytime soon, with more media outlets expected to follow suit in the coming years.
Please note that the FAQs provided on this page are based on the news article published. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to consult relevant authorities or professionals before making any decisions or taking action based on the FAQs or the news article.
