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The New York Times has made an impactful hiring decision by bringing Zach Seward, co-founder of Quartz, on board as its editorial director of AI initiatives.
Seward's role will involve spearheading a new team dedicated to exploring the utilization of generative AI and machine learning for internal and reader-facing applications.
Key points:
- Seward's initial priorities will include collaborating with NYT leadership to establish guidelines for the ethical and effective use of generative AI within the publication.
- Additionally, Seward will oversee the creation of an AI experimentation team and the development of training programs for journalists to harness the potential of AI tools.
- The primary objective of integrating new AI tools is to augment the capabilities of Times journalists and expand the publication's audience reach, aligning with the organization's commitment to maintaining the high standards of journalistic integrity.
- A memo from NYT leadership emphasized Seward's shared conviction that the core principles of Times journalism will continue to be upheld, with reporting, writing, and editing remaining the domain of expert journalists.
In a broader context:
- Concurrently, in a contrasting development, Arena Group, the owner of Sports Illustrated, has terminated CEO Ross Levinsohn following the publication of articles featuring fictitious author names and AI-generated headshots.
- The decision to remove Levinsohn was framed as a strategic measure aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency and revenue of the company, as stated by The Arena Group.
Seward's appointment at The New York Times signifies the publication's commitment to leveraging AI for editorial innovation, emphasizing the responsible and strategic integration of advanced technologies to enhance journalistic practices.
Conversely, the dismissal of Levinsohn at Arena Group underscores the increasing scrutiny and accountability surrounding the ethical use of AI and its implications within the media industry.