Slides: AI-generated news or not?

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As artificial technology advances and standards-based news organizations incorporate it into their work, it can be challenging to determine whether online text is AI-generated. While some news organizations have used AI for years for tasks like transcribing interviews, analyzing data or generating reports, the technology is also used by bad actors to spread false or misleading information on social media and through “pink slime” sites that masquerade as local news.

Use these classroom-ready slides with students to determine whether three examples of news articles are AI-generated or written by journalists.

Discuss: How can you tell if AI technology is used to produce a news story? What are some pros and cons of news organizations using AI? How could AI be used by newsrooms in an ethical and transparent way that aligns with the standards of quality journalism?

These slides originally appeared in the Dec. 4, 2023, issue of The Sift®, a newsletter for educators that explores timely examples of misinformation, addresses journalism and press freedom topics and examines social media trends and issues. Read archives of the newsletter and subscribe here.