Experts Raise Concerns Over Local News Sites Using AI-Produced Articles With Fake Bylines

Articles on a local news site Hoodline appearing across the country seem to report common community topics such as crime, weather, local politics, and events. The outlet’s slogan states, “In-depth reporting about your home area.”

However, a more thorough look at the bylines on the local site, and a national network of many more, bring to light names like Sarah Kim, Jake Rodriguez, and Mitch M. Rosenthal, each marked with a small badge reading “AI.” These are not bylines linked to real people; the articles were produced purely by artificial intelligence.

Breaking news outlet Hoodline is not the only site to employ AI. News organizations across the globe are looking into ways to benefit from this swiftly evolving technology while ensuring they are not led by it.

However, experts have expressed concern about placing too much emphasis on AI. They say it could taint the credibility of the news outlet and also lead to misinformation if not monitored appropriately.

Incorporating AI into news publishing has led to public shame for some media companies. CNET, a prominent tech outlet, experienced embarrassing factual errors in its AI-generated articles. Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain owner, faced criticism after an AI experiment covering high school sports games resulted in a public joke, leading to the article being retracted. Likewise, Sports Illustrated had to take down many articles from its website after discovering they were published under fake bylines.

Established in 2014 as a hyper-local news outlet based in San Francisco, Hoodline initially kicked off with a newsroom staffed by humans as journalists. Over time, it has evolved into a “national network of local websites,” extending coverage to major cities across the nation. According to a statement, the company now attracts millions of readers monthly.

Things took a turn last year when Hoodline started populating its site with AI-generated content. A disclaimer page, accessible via a link at the bottom of its pages, states, “While AI may assist in the background, the essence of our journalism — from conception to publication — is driven by real human insight and discretion.”

CEO of Hoodline’s parent company Impress3, Zachary Chen, said the outlet hires a “growing number of on-the-ground journalists who research and write original stories about their neighborhood beats.” 

Experts have voiced concern about Hoodline’s practices. They caution that it highlights the potential dangers and drawbacks of utilizing AI in journalism, which could erode public trust in the news.