German Media Giant Axel Springer Collaborates with OpenAI to Tackle AI ‘Hallucinations’
German media giant Axel Springer has joined forces with artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI to integrate journalism into AI technology in order to address the issue of AI hallucinations. The collaboration, announced on Dec. 13, aims to enhance ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, by using content from Axel Springer media brands.
AI hallucinations refer to instances when AI systems generate inaccurate or misleading information. These hallucinations can take various forms, such as generating false information, fabricating events or people, or providing inaccurate details on certain subjects. In an effort to combat this issue, OpenAI had announced initiatives to reduce AI hallucinations in June.
The integration of journalism into AI poses certain challenges including transparency and the spread of misinformation. According to a recent Ipsos Global study, a majority of Americans and Canadians believe that AI will worsen the spread of misinformation, while a significant portion of global respondents think that AI can facilitate the creation of realistic fake news.
In light of these concerns, OpenAI and Axel Springer plan to ensure that ChatGPT users can generate summaries from Axel Springer’s media brands, which include Politico, Business Insider, Bild, and Die Welt. By taking advantage of the expertise and credibility of these media outlets, the collaboration aims to offer users more up-to-date and authoritative content across a wide range of topics. Additionally, attributing and linking full articles will increase transparency.
While the partnership between OpenAI and Axel Springer seeks to improve the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content, there are other efforts underway as well. For instance, the Associated Press has established guidelines limiting the use of generative AI in news reporting, emphasizing the importance of human oversight. Similarly, tools like AI Fact Checker and Microsoft’s integration of GPT-4 into its Edge browser strive to utilize AI to combat misinformation.
Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China and Tencent’s YouTu Lab have also developed a tool to combat AI hallucinations, which was introduced in October 2023.
By collaborating with established media organizations, such as Axel Springer, OpenAI aims to leverage journalism’s expertise and credibility to enhance the reliability and quality of AI-generated content. This strategic partnership represents an important step towards addressing the challenges associated with AI hallucinations and the spread of misinformation. As AI continues to evolve, the integration of journalism might prove critical in ensuring accurate and trustworthy information in the digital age.
