export_ofoct.com (2)

[00:00.41] Baker wrote that when asked about suspicions surrounding his work, Pelczar answered, “Obviously I’ve never intentionally tried to misquote anybody.”

[00:13.96] When asked whether any of the disputed statements in his writings had been by created by an AI tool, Pelczar said, “That could be the case.” Baker said Pelczar then added, “But again, if there are issues I will correct them and issue apologies and say they are misstatements.”

[00:39.19] After closely examining Pelczar’s articles, Bacon and the publisher of the Enterprise discovered the use of AI and apologized for his actions.

[00:53.00] In an editorial published recently, Enterprise Editor Chris Bacon admitted he had “failed to catch” the AI-written copy and false quotes.

[01:06.55] He added that the mistake had permitted AI “to put words that were never spoken into stories.”

[01:15.57] Bacon said the Enterprise discovered at least seven stories that included AI-created quotes.

[01:24.61] Two of the questioned stories included false quotes from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

[01:32.57] Bacon said some of the quotes appeared “very believable.”

[01:37.88] He noted that the people he spoke with during his investigation said the quotes sounded like something they might have said.

[01:48.25] But they never personally spoke to Pelczar.

[01:52.23] Other reporters have had their careers hurt or ended for making up facts or quotes in articles.

[02:01.53] There are also others who have been accused of plagiarism, which involves a reporter publishing the writings of others without giving those reporters credit for the material.

[02:15.60] But media experts say the recent incident involving Pelczar demonstrates the possible dangers that exist when reporters and editors depend on AI tools in the news production process.

[02:33.40] Megan Barton is publisher of the Cody Enterprise.

[02:37.91] She wrote an editorial that described AI as “the new, advanced form of plagiarism and in the field of media and writing.”

[02:50.14] Barton noted the newspaper now has a system in place to recognize AI-generated stories and will “have longer conversations about how AI-generated stories are not acceptable.”