AI Takes the Byline: Quartz’s Bold Experiment

Quartz, the international business news powerhouse, has been quietly revolutionizing journalism by publishing AI-generated articles under the byline “Quartz Intelligence Newsroom.” What started as simple earnings reports has now evolved into full-blown news pieces. But here’s the kicker: these articles are not written by humans. Instead, they’re aggregated from other outlets like CNN, MSN, and The Associated Press, and churned out by AI in under 400 words.

“This is purely experimental,” says a G/O Media spokesperson, Quartz’s parent company. But is it just an experiment—or a glimpse into the future of journalism?

G/O Media Spokesperson

How Does It Work?

Quartz’s AI newsroom doesn’t just pick stories at random. It aggregates reporting from trusted sources, condenses the information, and spits out a digestible piece. But here’s the catch: no full quotes and minimal attribution. Instead of weaving sources into the narrative like human journalists, the AI simply lists them at the top of the article. It’s fast, efficient, and—let’s be honest—a little unsettling.

The Good, the Bad, and the AI

While Quartz claims the AI newsroom frees up their editorial staff to focus on deeper reporting, the quality control leaves much to be desired. Take this example: an AI-generated summary of a TechCrunch article about deleting Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts. The headline promised a step-by-step guide, but the instructions were vague and incomplete. For instance:

• Facebook: “Navigate to Settings & Privacy and select Account Ownership and Control.”
• Instagram: “Use the Account Center or settings to download data before deleting.”
• Threads: “Delete the linked Instagram account.”

Not exactly a masterclass in clarity, right?

AI Journalism: A Double-Edged Sword

Quartz isn’t the first to dabble in AI-generated content. CNET, Gannett, and even Sports Illustrated have tried—and failed—to perfect the art. Remember the factually inaccurate AI stories and fabricated bylines? Yeah, that didn’t go well. But Quartz seems determined to push forward, claiming reader engagement has “far exceeded expectations.”

“AI doesn’t command benefits or a salary,” says an industry insider. “It’s cheap labor with the potential to maximize profits.”

Anonymous Media Analyst

The Bigger Picture

Is this the future of journalism? AI-generated content offers speed and cost-efficiency, but at what cost? The lack of nuance, the absence of human touch, and the potential for errors are glaring red flags. Quartz may be experimenting, but the stakes are high. As readers, we must ask ourselves: do we want news written by algorithms, or by journalists who can think, feel, and question?

Final Thoughts

Quartz’s AI newsroom is a bold move, but it’s not without flaws. While it may free up human journalists for more in-depth work, the quality of AI-generated content still has a long way to go. As the media landscape evolves, one thing is clear: the battle between human creativity and machine efficiency is just beginning.