An American journalist was accused of using artificial intelligence to generate fake quotes in his articles. The allegations have sparked renewed discussions on the role of AI in journalism.
Discovering Fabrications
The scandal erupted following an analysis of articles published in Cody Enterprise, where reporter Aaron Pelzcar worked. The analysis was conducted by Powell Tribune journalist CJ Baker, who noticed that some parts of Pelzcar’s stories seemed to be generated by AI, especially the quotes.
Reactions and Consequences
Reuters reported that Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon was one of the individuals Pelzcar allegedly quoted. Gordon’s spokesperson said: “In one case, Pelzcar wrote a story about a new OSHA rule that included a quote from the Governor that was entirely fabricated.” In another instance, Pelzcar mixed AI-generated text with a news release announcing the new director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Implications for Journalism
Baker claims that Pelzcar admitted to using artificial intelligence in his work. The Powell Tribune journalist wrote a story that has reignited discussions on the use of AI in American media. Consequently, Cody Enterprise is developing an AI policy to guide their reporters. Pelzcar resigned after a full review of his work revealed he used AI-generated quotes in seven articles during his two-month tenure at Cody Enterprise. Pelzcar created fake quotes from six different people altogether.
This incident highlights the importance of ethical standards in journalism and the need for clear policies regulating the use of new technologies.
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