AI Update: Content Farms, How 3 Businesses Use AI, Midjourney's Dev Roadmap, Midjourney Inpainting

Content Farms Are Using AI Chatbots to Plagiarize News Outlets

Researchers Found 37 Websites That Appeared to Use AI to "Scramble and Rewrite" Stories from Mainstream Publications and Republish Them for Ad Revenue

Online content farms are resorting to using AI chatbots to plagiarize news stories from reputable publications, including The New York Times, for the purpose of generating advertising revenue. A recent report from NewsGuard, a misinformation monitor, reveals that 37 different websites were found to be repurposing entire lines of text from mainstream outlets without proper credit. These sites, some of which appeared to be completely automated, are using AI technology to "scramble and rewrite" stories, making them nearly indistinguishable from authentic news articles.

The Rise of AI Chatbot Plagiarism:
NewsGuard's report highlights the growing trend of content farms using AI chatbots to generate plagiarized articles. These AI models rely on the text of already published stories from reputable sources like CNN and Reuters, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of the plagiarized content compared to previous cases where AI models generated stories without any source material. The result is articles that appear authentic to the average reader, making it difficult to detect plagiarism.

The Extent of the Problem:
While NewsGuard identified 37 sites engaged in this practice, the actual number is believed to be much higher. The identification of these sites was possible because some of them featured chatbot error messages, but many others that remove these telltale signs could go undetected. NewsGuard estimates that there could be hundreds, if not thousands, of websites using AI to lift content from outside sources, further exacerbating the issue of AI-generated plagiarism.

The Role of Advertising Revenue:
These plagiarized articles serve as a means for content farms to generate advertising revenue, with programmatic ads from blue-chip companies appearing on 15 out of the 37 analyzed sites. This means that major brands, knowingly or unknowingly, are directly funding these works of AI plagiarism. The opacity of the programmatic ad process makes it unlikely that these brands are aware of their involvement in supporting AI copycat sites.

The Implications for the News Industry:
The proliferation of AI-generated content poses significant challenges for the news industry. Content mills have long been a concern, but the speed at which AI models can recreate stories allows bad actors to generate large volumes of copied content, potentially siphoning off advertising revenue. Traditional news publishers are also grappling with the impact of AI on newsrooms, with some publications using AI to generate articles without clear disclosure. However, ethical concerns remain, as AI models are known to hallucinate facts and are often trained on copyrighted material.

The use of AI chatbots to plagiarize news outlets is a troubling development in the media landscape. Content farms exploiting AI technology to generate plagiarized articles not only undermine the credibility of reputable publications but also pose a significant challenge to the news industry as a whole. It is imperative for both technology companies and news organizations to address this issue and establish safeguards to ensure the integrity and originality of news content. Failure to do so risks further eroding trust in the media and perpetuating the spread of misinformation.

Here’s How 3 Metro Detroit Businesses Are Using Artificial Intelligence To Their Advantage

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across the globe, and metro Detroit is no exception. Businesses in the area are embracing AI to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and improve customer experiences. In this article, we'll explore how three metro Detroit businesses are leveraging AI to their advantage.

Waymark, a video creation company based in Detroit, is using AI to generate customized videos for businesses. By utilizing over 13 different AI applications, including Open AI, Waymark can create videos tailored to a business's specific needs. The AI technology scans a business's online assets and matches them with text, creating a voiceover that sounds similar to a human's voice. This AI-powered video creation process has significantly simplified and expedited the video production process for Waymark's clients.

Jet's Pizza, a franchise founded in Sterling Heights, is utilizing AI to enhance its mobile ordering system. The company has partnered with ORDRAI, an AI company specializing in voice and text ordering for chain restaurants. ORDRAI's AI technology enables customers to place orders through voice commands or text messages, making the ordering process more convenient and efficient. This AI-powered system has been particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic when the availability of workers was limited. By leveraging AI, Jet's Pizza has been able to overcome labor shortages and provide a seamless ordering experience for its customers.

Detroit Medical Center is harnessing the power of AI in radiology to improve patient outcomes. The medical center uses an AI program called VISAI, which is designed to assist radiologists in diagnosing patients with brain or lung issues. VISAI can identify potential risks, such as large vessel occlusions or pulmonary embolisms, and alert the medical team for further evaluation. By leveraging AI, Detroit Medical Center's radiologists can make faster and more accurate diagnoses, ultimately improving patient care.

While AI offers numerous benefits, there are also challenges to consider. Dr. Helet Botha, Assistant Professor of Business Policy and Strategy at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, warns about the potential biases that AI tools may perpetuate. Since AI algorithms are trained on existing data, they may inadvertently replicate societal biases. Additionally, it's crucial to ensure that employees maintain a sense of agency and that AI tools are used ethically.

As AI continues to advance, businesses in metro Detroit are finding innovative ways to leverage this technology to their advantage. From video creation to pizza ordering and medical diagnostics, AI is transforming industries and enhancing the overall customer experience. However, it's essential to proceed with caution and ensure that AI is used responsibly and inclusively.

The future of AI in metro Detroit looks promising, and as businesses continue to explore its potential, we can expect even more innovative applications of this transformative technology.

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