• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, 2 hours ago

Here is another type of newsroom stress that seems to be developing. Of course, it has to do with artificial intelligence.  

Emily Le Coz, editor in chief of Suncoast Searchlight, has been accused by four reporters on this small Florida nonprofit, of using generative AI tools for editing without disclosing it to the staff, and introducing hallucinated quotes, according to NiemanLab.  

One reporter has been fired since the four complained to the Searchlight’s board, NiemanLab continues.  

No comment has been forthcoming from Le Coz, but the board told NiemanLab it is conducting an internal review. 

But it adds, “While the investigation remains ongoing, no issues have surfaced concerning the accuracy of Searchlight’s journalism or the ethics of the editorial process.”

That is a vote of cofidence in Le Coz. 

Now this may seem like a pretty small matter, given the size of the Searchlight staff. But arguments like this are playing out in newsrooms that may not have codified their ethical stance and use of AI.  

It is a given throughout the business that any use of AI tools in the editorial process must be acknowledged. But not everyone agrees that deployment of AI for research, say,  must be reported.  

Responsible publications generally agree that AI must not be used for writing content, disclosed or not. But cracks may be appearing even in that.