The Associated Press is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence to shape the future of news. At AP, we’re exploring with AI to see how the technology might streamline news production and enhance editorial efficiency.
AP collaborates with AppliedXL on leveraging AI to analyze data from the federal registry and providing actionable news tips to local newsrooms.
ShortTok and AP are working together to integrate AI-powered content discovery and video curation into AP’s news production.
Merlin is an AI-powered search that recognizes elements within photos and videos and doesn’t rely on descriptions or metadata.
AP has rolled out generative AI with human-in-the-loop of article translations from English to Spanish.
AI is used to generate concise summaries, making it easier for readers to quickly grasp the core information.
AP developed five AI projects in 2023 as part of its Local News AI initiative, which was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
These projects support AP and local newsrooms by automating repetitive tasks, which allows journalists to focus on more impactful aspects of their work and reporting.
Automated writing of public safety incidents into the content management system of Minnesota newspaper Brainerd Dispatch.
Publication of Spanish-language news alerts using National Weather Service data translated from English into Spanish by the newspaper El Vocero de Puerto Rico.
Automated transcription of recorded videos and summarizing the transcripts to create an article’s initial framework at San Antonio, Texas, television station KSAT-TV.
Sorting of news tips and coverage pitches from the public and automatically populating them into the coverage planner of Allentown, Pennsylvania, television station WFMZ-TV.
Expanding the Minutes application, which creates transcripts of city council meetings, to include summarization, keyword identification and reporter alerts, for staff at Michigan Radio’s WUOM-FM at the University of Michigan.
AP is committed to equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate AI’s role in newsrooms. Through a grant from the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, our training program offer:
AP Stylebook’s AI Chapter
Our new artificial intelligence chapter of the AP Stylebook offers journalists clear guidance on how to cover AI across every beat, as well as key AI terms to help reporters accurately explain the promise, perils and impacts of AI models.
It includes reporting strategies for journalists covering AI in society, including technical questions to ask when reporting on the inner workings of AI systems.
The Stylebook’s AI chapter also forms the basis of a grant-funded, nationwide training program that sets a standard for AI literacy in journalism and ensures reporters are well prepared for the evolving media landscape.
Award-Winning Accountability Reporting: The Tracked Series
AP’s investigative series, Tracked, spurred real-world impact by revealing how governments across the globe mobilized mass surveillance and predictive tools in our communities amid a year of pandemic and protests.
The 2022 series won national awards and led to government action, including prompting the U.S. Justice Department to open a federal civil rights investigation of a prominent algorithm used in child welfare as well as hastening policy changes at the state level.
The series brought together more than 40 AP journalists from across the globe to create a visual, narrative package at the intersection of technology and society.
Researching the Future of AI in Newsrooms
AP is a leader in research that helps the media industry understand and responsibly adopt AI. Our 2022 report on “Artificial Intelligence in Local News: A survey of US newsrooms’ AI readiness” examines the challenges smaller outlets face when integrating AI.
AP’s 2024 “Generative AI in Journalism: The Evolution of Newswork and Ethics in a Generative Information Ecosystem” report reveals how news organizations globally are incorporating AI tools into their reporting and production processes. The report addresses ethical considerations, evolving newsroom roles, the need for human oversight when using generative AI and training.
