G/O Media, the owner of popular tech and science website Gizmodo, recently made a controversial move by shutting down its Spanish-language site Gizmodo en Español and replacing it with AI-generated translations. This decision has raised concerns among readers and journalists about the quality and accuracy of the content.
On August 29th, Matías S. Zavia, a writer at Gizmodo en Español, took to social media to announce the closure of the publication. The staff, known for their original stories and Spanish adaptations of English-language Gizmodo articles, were laid off. In their place, G/O Media implemented an AI translation system to automatically generate articles for the Spanish audience.
The new articles now carry a disclaimer at the bottom, in Spanish, stating that the contents have been automatically translated and that there may be slight differences due to the nuances of machine translation. However, this transition hasn’t been without its problems. Some readers have reported that certain articles start in Spanish but suddenly switch to English, indicating flaws in the AI translation process.
AZ Adslzone, a Spanish website, reported that the Gizmodo en Español team was informed of the decision via video call. Despite numerous requests for comment, G/O Media did not provide any response.
This move by G/O Media reflects a growing trend among news organizations to experiment with generative AI in order to produce more content without relying on additional writers. However, this approach has raised ethical concerns and faced backlash from journalists and their unions.
G/O Media had already started publishing AI-written articles on Gizmodo back in July. However, these initial attempts were marred by factual errors. Journalists at G/O Media’s various outlets expressed their dismay at the decision to publish AI-generated stories without their knowledge. GMG Union, the union representing the journalists, even urged readers to avoid clicking on any AI-written news. The union’s concern was that such practices could lead to a decline in quality and expose readers to inaccurate or unreliable information.
It’s worth noting that Gizmodo en Español has an interesting history. It was launched in 2012 by Gawker Media, the now-defunct media company that also owned Gizmodo. This expansion marked Gawker’s first venture into the international media landscape, with Gizmodo en Español catering specifically to Spanish-speaking audiences.
The closure of Gizmodo en Español and the adoption of AI translations by G/O Media raises important questions about the future of journalism and the role of AI in news production. Critics argue that relying on AI alone may compromise the quality, accuracy, and uniqueness of news content. Machine translation, although constantly improving, still struggles with nuances, idioms, and cultural differences, making it challenging to deliver accurate and contextually appropriate translations.
Furthermore, the decision to lay off the entire staff of Gizmodo en Español highlights the impact of automation on employment in the media industry. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it poses a threat to human journalists’ jobs, potentially leading to a reduction in the diversity of voices and the overall quality of news reporting.
In conclusion, G/O Media’s decision to shut down Gizmodo en Español and replace it with AI-generated translations has sparked concerns about the reliability and integrity of the content. While AI technologies present opportunities for efficiency and innovation in news production, it is crucial to strike a balance between automated processes and the expertise of human journalists. The future of journalism relies on finding this equilibrium to ensure that accurate, engaging, and culturally sensitive news is delivered to diverse audiences.