More articles are now created by AI than humans
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AI‑Generated Articles Outpace Human‑Written Content, Study Finds
A recent report cited by WSB‑TV’s news team shows that, for the first time, more articles are now being produced by artificial intelligence than by human journalists. The finding, drawn from an industry survey and analysis of online content volumes, signals a seismic shift in how news and information are created, distributed, and consumed.
The Numbers Behind the Trend
According to the WSB‑TV article, a global media analytics firm released data indicating that AI‑generated content now accounts for approximately 45% of all news articles published on major platforms, surpassing the 35% produced by human writers. The remaining 20% come from freelance contributors and other ancillary sources. The trend has been accelerating over the past eighteen months, with AI output doubling each year as language models have grown more sophisticated and cost‑effective.
The report cites a comparative study by the Reuters Institute, which examined 12,000 news articles from 2022‑2024 across 30 countries. The Institute found that AI‑generated pieces not only outnumber human articles but also show higher rates of publication speed—an average of 3 minutes from draft to live post versus 45 minutes for traditional newsroom workflows.
Why AI Is Taking Over
WSB‑TV’s article outlines several key drivers behind the rapid adoption of AI tools in journalism:
Cost Efficiency: Newsrooms face shrinking budgets and increasing pressure to deliver more content with fewer staff. AI writing assistants, such as Jasper, Copy.ai, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offer a scalable solution that reduces labor costs while maintaining output volume.
Speed and Scalability: AI can produce drafts in seconds, allowing reporters to focus on investigative work and editorial refinement. For routine coverage—sports scores, financial summaries, and traffic updates—AI can handle the bulk of writing.
Multilingual Capabilities: Language models have improved their ability to write fluently in dozens of languages, enabling media companies to serve diverse audiences without hiring additional language specialists.
Data‑Driven Personalization: AI can tailor content to reader preferences, generating hyper‑localized news briefs and customized newsletters at scale.
The Human Element Still Matters
While AI’s prevalence is growing, WSB‑TV’s piece emphasizes that human oversight remains essential. “Editors still need to fact‑check, verify sources, and add context that AI cannot fully grasp,” says a quoted newsroom editor. Human journalists also play a critical role in investigative reporting, investigative journalism, and storytelling that requires empathy and nuance—areas where AI struggles.
The article references a 2023 article from the Journalism Practice journal, which argues that AI is most effective when used as a collaborative tool. In this model, human writers provide the editorial vision and ethical framework, while AI handles the initial drafting, data extraction, and stylistic polishing.
Ethical and Legal Concerns
The rapid rise of AI‑generated news raises several ethical and legal questions. The WSB‑TV report notes that some AI‑written pieces have been flagged for factual inaccuracies and plagiarism. A 2024 study by the Media Law Association found that 12% of AI‑generated articles contained unverified claims that were later corrected after publication. The study recommends implementing stricter verification protocols and transparent labeling of AI‑authored content.
Legal implications also emerge around copyright and attribution. The article cites the United States Copyright Office’s new guidance that clarifies the legal status of AI‑generated text, stating that works produced entirely by AI may not qualify for copyright protection unless a human provides substantial creative input.
Industry Responses and Adaptation
Major news organizations are reacting in different ways. The Wall Street Journal, for instance, announced a partnership with OpenAI to explore AI‑assisted drafting under the “Journalistic AI Initiative.” Meanwhile, The Guardian has adopted a “Human‑First” policy, restricting AI use to internal research and data analysis while keeping all front‑line articles human‑written.
WSB‑TV’s own newsroom has implemented a hybrid model. According to a quoted newsroom manager, AI tools are used for generating boilerplate segments—weather, sports, and finance—but all political and investigative pieces go through a traditional editorial process. The article also mentions that some local stations have launched AI‑powered newsbots that deliver real‑time updates via social media channels, boosting engagement but also raising concerns about misinformation.
Looking Ahead
The WSB‑TV article concludes by highlighting the need for industry-wide standards and best practices. It urges journalism associations to develop guidelines for AI usage, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical integrity. A future feature in the newsroom may include AI‑driven audience analytics to help journalists tailor stories to specific demographic groups, potentially reshaping news coverage and editorial strategy.
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, the balance between human insight and machine efficiency will be a defining challenge. As AI tools become more capable, the journalism community must navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of this new era, ensuring that news remains accurate, trustworthy, and reflective of human values.
Read the Full WSB-TV Article at:
[ https://www.wsbtv.com/news/more-articles-are-now-created-by-ai-than-humans/VUVWZG7DRZIAHBG2GI4WQARHA4/ ]