The Associated Press is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence to shape the future of news. At AP, we’re exploring with AI to see how the technology might streamline news production and enhance editorial efficiency.
AP collaborates with AppliedXL on leveraging AI to analyze data from the federal registry and providing actionable news tips to local newsrooms.
ShortTok and AP are working together to integrate AI-powered content discovery and video curation into AP’s news production.
Merlin is an AI-powered search that recognizes elements within photos and videos and doesn’t rely on descriptions or metadata.
AP has rolled out generative AI with human-in-the-loop of article translations from English to Spanish.
AI is used to generate concise summaries, making it easier for readers to quickly grasp the core information.
AP developed five AI projects in 2023 as part of its Local News AI initiative, which was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation:
Automated writing
Automated writing of public safety incidents into the content management system of Minnesota newspaper Brainerd Dispatch.
Publication of Spanish-language news alerts
Publication of Spanish-language news alerts using National Weather Service data translated from English into Spanish by the newspaper El Vocero de Puerto Rico.
Automated transcription of recorded videos
Automated transcription of recorded videos and summarizing the transcripts to create an article’s initial framework at San Antonio, Texas, television station KSAT-TV.
Sorting of news tips and coverage pitches
Sorting of news tips and coverage pitches from the public and automatically populating them into the coverage planner of Allentown, Pennsylvania, television station WFMZ-TV.
Expanding the Minutes application
Expanding the Minutes application, which creates transcripts of city council meetings, to include summarization, keyword identification and reporter alerts, for staff at Michigan Radio’s WUOM-FM at the University of Michigan.
These projects support AP and local newsrooms by automating repetitive tasks, which allows journalists to focus on more impactful aspects of their work and reporting.
AP is committed to equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate AI’s role in newsrooms. Through a grant from the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, our training program offer:
AP Stylebook’s AI Chapter
Our newly introduced chapter on AI offers journalists clear guidance on the ethical considerations of covering AI, including practical tips for journalists who might be unfamiliar with how to incorporate technology-related items into their reporting.
Through these initiatives, AP is setting the standard for AI literacy in journalism, ensuring reporters are well-prepared for the evolving media landscape.
Award-Winning Accountability Reporting: The Tracked Series
AP’s Tracked series is an example of accountability journalism at its best: This investigation, led by a team of AP reporters, used traditional reporting techniques to examine how AI-powered tools were being deployed by social workers in child welfare systems. The series revealed how these tools disproportionately targeted marginalized communities, drawing national attention to the ethical implications of AI in public services.
This series spurred government action, including changes in AI usage policies at the state level, and highlighted AP’s ongoing commitment to uncovering injustices caused by emerging technologies.
Researching the Future of AI in Newsrooms
AP is a leader in research that helps the media industry understand and responsibly adopt AI. Our 2022 report on “Artificial Intelligence in Local News: A survey of US newsrooms’ AI readiness” examines the challenges smaller outlets face when integrating AI.
AP’s 2024 “Generative AI in Journalism: The Evolution of Newswork and Ethics in a Generative Information Ecosystem” report reveals how news organizations globally are incorporating AI tools into their reporting and production processes. The report addresses ethical considerations, evolving newsroom roles, the need for human oversight when using generative AI and training.
