AP Establishes Guidelines for Journalistic Use of Generative AI

The Associated Press (AP) has introduced a set of guidelines for its journalists regarding the responsible utilization of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology in news reporting.

While AI has the potential to enhance accuracy, fairness, and efficiency, AP emphasizes that its journalists' core role in collecting, evaluating, and presenting factual information remains unchanged.

The organization's commitment to accuracy and fairness continues to guide its use of AI.

AP Principles for Journalists Using Generative AI

AP's established standards encompass the following principles:

AI Complements, Not Replaces

AP views AI as a tool to support journalists rather than replace them. The fundamental responsibility of AP journalists to ensure accurate and fair reporting remains paramount.

Vetting AI Output

Output from generative AI tools should be considered as unvetted source material. AP staff must exercise editorial judgment and adhere to sourcing standards before considering any AI-generated information for publication.

Usage Limitations

AP does not employ generative AI to create publishable content. The organization's images, videos, and audio remain unaltered by AI. AI-generated images may be used if they are the subject of a news story, but they must be clearly labeled.

Confidential Information

AP discourages (we could probably say prohibits, but it's not enforceable) the inclusion of confidential or sensitive information in AI tools.

Skepticism and Verification

Given the potential for AI-generated content to spread misinformation, journalists are advised to maintain the same level of skepticism and caution. They should verify the authenticity of content from trusted sources, utilize reverse image searches, and seek similar reports from reliable media outlets.

Exercise Caution

In cases of doubt about the authenticity of material, journalists should refrain from using it.

AP Stance on AI

AP's Vice President for Standards and Inclusion, Amanda Barrett, emphasized that AI serves as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for journalists.

The guidelines aim to ensure that AI is harnessed responsibly and ethically in news gathering, upholding the principles of accuracy and integrity that define AP's journalism.

The Future of Journalism and AI

As AP continues to explore the possibilities of AI, it has entered into agreements with organizations like OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, to contribute to the training of AI models.

Despite embracing AI-driven tools for specific tasks, AP's commitment to journalistic values remains unwavering, as evidenced by its measured approach to integrating AI into its workflow.