AI Misuse in Journalism: Wyoming Newspaper Apologizes for Fabricated Quotes

Photo of author
Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

In Helena, Mont., Powell Tribune reporter CJ Baker noticed something odd in a competitor’s articles. Quotes from Wyoming’s governor and a local prosecutor seemed off, and some phrases felt robotic. The real clue came in a June 26 article about comedian Larry the Cable Guy being named the grand marshal of the Cody Stampede Parade. The article included phrases like, The 2024 Cody Stampede Parade promises to be an unforgettable celebration, which seemed artificial.

Baker investigated and met with Aaron Pelczar, a new journalist at the Cody Enterprise. Pelczar admitted to using AI to help write his stories before resigning from the newspaper. The Cody Enterprise, co-founded in 1899 by Buffalo Bill Cody, quickly apologized. Editor Chris Bacon admitted hefailed to catch the AI-generated content and apologized for allowing it to include fake quotes.

This incident highlights the dangers of AI in journalism, where AI-generated content can produce misleading or false articles. While AI can assist in certain tasks, like financial reports or translations, it’s crucial to be transparent about its use. Sports Illustrated faced criticism for using AI-generated product reviews without disclosing it, damaging their reputation.

Baker’s investigation revealed that seven stories written by Pelczar contained AI-generated quotes. These quotes, while believable, were not actually spoken by the people quoted. For example, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s office confirmed that quotes in two stories attributed to him were fabricated.

The Cody Enterprise is now reviewing all of Pelczar’s work and plans to implement an AI policy to prevent this from happening again. The newspaper’s publisher, Megan Barton, called AI the new, advanced form of plagiarism and emphasized the need for vigilance. The Cody Enterprise is committed to ensuring that AI-generated content is never used without proper oversight.

Leave a Comment