News/Publishing
AI-generated content hits 55% of new articles but growth stalls
AI-generated content now accounts for over half of all newly published articles on the internet, according to a new report from Graphite, an SEO research firm. However, the surge appears to be plateauing as content creators discover that AI-written articles perform poorly in search rankings, suggesting the digital landscape may be self-correcting against automated content. What you should know: The proportion of AI-generated articles peaked at 55% in January 2025 but has since stabilized rather than continuing to grow exponentially. AI content slightly overtook human-written articles between November 2024 and March 2025, marking a significant shift in online publishing. The...
read Oct 17, 2025Merriam-Webster releases first print dictionary in 20 years to combat AI misinformation
Merriam-Webster has published the 12th edition of its Collegiate Dictionary, the first update in more than 20 years, positioning the physical book as a trustworthy alternative to AI-generated content. The release comes as a direct response to growing concerns about AI hallucinations and misinformation, with the company marketing the dictionary as "actual intelligence" versus artificial intelligence that "never hallucinates" and requires no electricity. The big picture: This marks a surprising return to print publishing in an industry that went digital-first decades ago, with the move serving as both a marketing statement against AI and a nostalgic appeal to traditional authority....
read Oct 14, 2025Hollywood script readers complain AI script analysis too positive, misses critical flaws
Hollywood script readers conducted an experiment to test whether AI can match human analysis of screenplays, as artificial intelligence tools increasingly threaten their traditional gatekeeping role in the entertainment industry. The study, led by Jason Hallock, a Paramount story analyst, and the Editors Guild, revealed that while AI excels at generating loglines and summaries, it struggles with nuanced script analysis and tends to offer overly positive feedback rather than honest criticism. What you should know: AI script analysis tools are already being adopted across Hollywood, from major agencies to independent producers seeking to manage overwhelming submission volumes. WME uses ScriptSense...
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Major League Soccer publishes AI-generated match summaries without human review
Major League Soccer has quietly launched AI-generated match summaries that are published without human editorial review, sparking widespread criticism from fans and sports journalists. The automated recaps, clearly labeled as "Created by MLS Generative AI," represent a cost-cutting measure that critics argue undermines authentic sports journalism and threatens writing jobs in the industry. What you should know: MLS published at least two AI-generated match summaries on Saturday night, with disclaimers noting the content "has not been reviewed by editorial staff." The league published recaps for Inter Miami CF versus Atlanta United (9:34 p.m. Eastern) and Orlando City SC versus the...
read Sep 25, 2025AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is the ultimate epistemic bundler
Answer Engine Optimization represents a fundamental shift in how information reaches us—and who controls that information. Unlike traditional search engines that present multiple sources for users to evaluate, AEO systems generate single, authoritative-sounding answers that most people accept without question. This technology transforms the internet from an open marketplace of ideas into a curated reality shaped by whoever can best game the system. The stakes couldn't be higher. Research indicates that roughly 70% of people accept AI-generated information at face value, without verification or cross-referencing. When reality itself becomes optimizable—subject to the same manipulation tactics used in marketing—truth transforms from...
read Sep 25, 2025AI translations threaten Wikipedia’s vulnerable language editions
AI-generated machine translations have flooded Wikipedia's smaller language editions with error-riddled content, creating a dangerous feedback loop as AI models train on these flawed pages. The problem is particularly acute for vulnerable languages with few native speakers, where up to 60% of Wikipedia articles are now uncorrected machine translations that could accelerate language extinction rather than preserve these cultural treasures. The scale of the problem: Machine-translated content has overwhelmed Wikipedia editions in hundreds of lesser-known languages, with devastating accuracy issues. Volunteers working on four African languages estimate that between 40% and 60% of articles in their Wikipedia editions are uncorrected...
read Sep 25, 2025Legal experts slam Bluebook’s new AI citation rule as confusing
The 22nd edition of The Bluebook, released in May, introduces Rule 18.3 for citing AI-generated content, but legal experts are calling the new citation standard fundamentally flawed and confusing. The Bluebook acts a foundational guide for the legal profession, offering best practices. Critics argue the new rule treats AI as a citable authority rather than a research tool, creating more confusion than clarity for legal professionals navigating AI citations. What the rule requires: Authors must save screenshots of AI output as PDFs when citing generative AI content like ChatGPT conversations or Google search results. The rule has three sections covering...
read Sep 18, 2025Studios rejected Stallone’s AI-powered Rambo origin story. But nothing is over?
Sylvester Stallone revealed he previously pitched an AI-powered "Rambo" prequel that would use de-aging technology to show him as an 18-year-old John Rambo in Vietnam. The actor disclosed this during a podcast interview while promoting the upcoming third season of "Tulsa King," as Hollywood continues exploring AI applications for visual effects and storytelling. What they're saying: Stallone believes AI technology has advanced enough to make his vision feasible, though studios initially rejected the concept. "Everyone thought I was crazy," Stallone recalled about his AI de-aging pitch. "AI is sophisticated enough to go through Saigon to see him at 18 years...
read Sep 18, 2025Chatbot fount of knowledge Reddit seeks better Google AI deal with higher pay, traffic
Reddit is seeking to renegotiate its AI data licensing deal with Google, pushing for both higher payments and user traffic referrals in exchange for its content. The discussions highlight a growing tension between content platforms and AI companies, as platforms struggle to maintain engagement while their data powers AI tools that potentially reduce direct site visits. What you should know: Reddit executives are back at the negotiating table with Google, seeking to expand their relationship beyond the current $60 million annual data-sharing agreement. The platform wants Google to actively drive users to Reddit's forums to create more content, rather than...
read Sep 17, 2025AI tool identifies 1,000+ predatory journals threatening scientific integrity
Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed an AI tool that can identify predatory scientific journals—fake publications that charge researchers fees but skip the peer review process. The tool successfully identified over 1,000 illegitimate journals out of nearly 15,200 analyzed, addressing a growing threat to scientific integrity that can spread misinformation for decades. The big picture: Predatory journals represent a significant threat to scientific credibility, as demonstrated by the infamous 1998 vaccine-autism study published by British doctor Andrew Wakefield that spread harmful misinformation despite appearing in a reputable journal. How it works: The AI system replicates human analysis...
read Sep 15, 2025USA Today owner launches AI chatbot to combat traffic losses across 220+ publications
USA Today's parent company Gannett has launched DeeperDive, an AI-powered chatbot that converses with readers and summarizes content from across its 220+ publications. The tool represents a strategic pivot for publishers struggling with AI companies that trained on their content and now compete for the same audience traffic that search engines once delivered. The big picture: Traditional publishers face mounting pressure as AI chatbots like Google's AI Overview feature dramatically reduce website traffic by answering user queries directly instead of directing them to original sources. "We are watching the same movie as everyone else is watching," said Mike Reed, CEO...
read Sep 15, 2025Publish or perish: Rolling Stone owner sues Google over AI summaries feature
Penske Media Corporation, publisher of Rolling Stone, Variety, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter, has filed a federal lawsuit against Google over its AI Summaries feature. The suit alleges that Google is abusing its search monopoly to republish content without permission in AI-generated answers, violating U.S. antitrust laws and threatening the traditional web publishing model. What you should know: PMC claims Google's AI Summaries are significantly damaging publisher revenue and web traffic through unfair competition. The lawsuit accuses Google of "coercing online publishers like PMC to supply content that Google republishes without permission in AI-generated answers." PMC reports that 20% of...
read Sep 12, 2025Even dictionaries sue Perplexity AI over copyright infringement (but also false attributions)
Merriam-Webster and Encyclopedia Britannica have filed a federal lawsuit against Perplexity AI, alleging the company's "answer engine" unlawfully scrapes and copies their copyrighted content without permission or compensation. The lawsuit also claims Perplexity generates false AI hallucinations that are wrongly attributed to the dictionary and encyclopedia publishers, seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction to stop the alleged misuse. What you should know: This marks the latest in a growing series of copyright lawsuits targeting Perplexity's content practices across multiple industries. The complaint was filed in New York federal court and seeks both monetary damages and a court order blocking...
read Sep 10, 2025Google pulls Daily Hub AI from Pixel 10 weeks after launch
Google has removed the Daily Hub AI feature from Pixel 10 phones just weeks after launch, citing the need to improve its performance and personalized experience. The company says it will reintroduce an enhanced version when ready, but the pullback highlights ongoing challenges with on-device AI features that promise more than they deliver. What you should know: Daily Hub was designed to create personalized daily digests using on-device AI processing, appearing in Google Discover feeds and the At a Glance home screen widget. The feature pulled data from users' apps and ran it through Tensor processor AI models to generate...
read Sep 10, 2025Reddit, Yahoo and Medium launch new licensing standard for AI content
Major web publishers including Reddit, Yahoo, Medium, and People Inc. have adopted a new Really Simple Licensing (RSL) standard that allows them to set compensation terms for AI companies scraping their content. The initiative creates a structured approach for publishers to negotiate fair payment from AI firms, addressing the ongoing crisis in web publishing as artificial intelligence companies have historically used online content without compensation. What you should know: The RSL standard integrates licensing terms directly into the robots.txt protocol, the basic file that provides instructions for web crawlers. Supported licensing options include free, attribution, subscription, pay-per-crawl, and pay-per-inference models....
read Sep 9, 2025Reddit fixes AI bug that wrongly altered LGBT subreddit descriptions for weeks
Reddit has resolved a bug that incorrectly altered subreddit descriptions on its Android app, including changing a lesbian community's description to say it was for "straight" women. The issue, which persisted for weeks and sparked user concerns about unauthorized AI content modification, was caused by a malfunctioning translation service that mistakenly performed "English-to-English translations." What happened: Multiple subreddit descriptions were inaccurately changed when viewed through Reddit's Android app, with some alterations significantly misrepresenting community purposes. The r/actuallesbians subreddit's description was changed from "a place for cis and trans lesbians" to "a place for straight and transgender lesbians." The r/autisticparents community,...
read Sep 9, 2025Firefox literally shakes things up with new iPhone feature that generates AI web summaries
Firefox has introduced a "shake to summarize" feature for iPhones that generates AI-powered summaries of webpages users are reading. The feature makes Firefox one of the first major third-party apps to integrate with Apple Intelligence, positioning Mozilla to compete in the growing market for AI-enhanced browsing experiences. How it works: The shake-to-summarize feature offers multiple ways for users to access AI-generated webpage summaries. Users can physically shake their iPhone to trigger a summary, tap the "thunderbolt" icon in the address bar, or select "Summarize page" from the three-dot menu at the bottom of the screen. On iPhone 15 Pro and...
read Sep 8, 2025Google admits in court filing that “open web is in rapid decline”
Google admitted in a recent court filing that "the open web is in rapid decline," directly contradicting its previous public statements defending the health of the internet. This acknowledgment comes as the tech giant faces antitrust scrutiny over its dominance in online advertising, revealing a stark disconnect between Google's courtroom arguments and its public messaging about web vitality. What you should know: Google's admission emerged during ongoing litigation about its control over the digital advertising market. The company argued that proposed court remedies would "only accelerate that decline, harming publishers who currently rely on open-web display advertising revenue." Google contends...
read Sep 5, 2025Medical misinformation via TikTok, Facebook costs US healthcare up to $300M daily, survey finds
Medical misinformation on social media platforms has evolved into a significant economic burden for American healthcare, with AI technology accelerating the spread of false health claims. A 2025 survey of over 1,000 U.S. physicians found that 61% reported patients being influenced by misinformation at least moderately in the past year, with 57% saying it significantly undermines their ability to deliver quality care. The big picture: False health information spreads 70% faster than accurate content on social platforms, according to MIT research, because people naturally share novel and emotional content over factual information. The World Health Organization has termed this phenomenon...
read Sep 5, 2025Atlassian acquires Arc browser maker for $610M to build AI work browser
Atlassian has acquired The Browser Company, maker of the Arc and Dia web browsers, for $610 million to build an AI-powered browser specifically designed for knowledge workers. The acquisition positions Atlassian, the software company behind workplace tools like Trello and Jira, to compete in the rapidly evolving browser market where companies are racing to integrate generative AI into web browsing experiences. What you should know: Atlassian plans to upgrade Dia into a specialized browser that uses agentic AI to help knowledge workers navigate and retrieve information more efficiently. The new browser will transform traditional tabs into "icons enriched with context,"...
read Sep 5, 2025Chrome extension “Bye Bye Google AI” removes AI overviews, touts 50K+ users
A tech industry veteran has created a free Chrome extension called "Bye Bye Google AI" that removes Google's AI Overviews from search results with a single click. The tool addresses growing concerns about AI summaries that may contain inaccurate information while diverting traffic from original content creators. Why this matters: Research shows that 10.4% of Google's AI Overview responses are derived from AI-generated content, with 52% of citations coming from sources outside Google's top 100 search results—pages the algorithm considers less authoritative. How it works: The Chrome extension modifies search result pages by hiding AI Overviews through CSS manipulation.• Users...
read Sep 4, 2025Clock is ticking: Why your SEO strategy has 3 years left to work
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping how customers find businesses online, and companies that fail to adapt risk becoming invisible in the digital marketplace. The shift from traditional search engine optimization to what experts now call "answer engine optimization" represents the most significant change in business discoverability since the birth of search itself. This transformation extends far beyond simple keyword targeting. Where businesses once optimized for short phrases like "brake service Omaha," they now must prepare for natural language queries such as "Why are my GMC Canyon's brakes making a grinding noise when I drive above 45 mph?" Answer engines—AI-powered tools...
read Sep 1, 2025This small Caribbean island earned $39M from .ai domain sales in 2024 boom
Anguilla's .ai domain extension has become a financial windfall for the small Caribbean island, generating $39 million in 2024—nearly a quarter of the territory's total government revenue. The unexpected boom, driven by surging demand for AI-related websites, is helping the 16,000-person British Overseas Territory diversify its tourism-dependent economy and build resilience against hurricane damage. The big picture: What started as a routine internet address assignment in the 1980s has transformed into Anguilla's second-largest revenue source, with .ai domain registrations growing more than 10-fold in five years. The government earned 105.5 million East Caribbean dollars ($39 million) from domain sales in...
read Aug 28, 2025Miami-based startup Coconote’s AI note-taking app now free for all US educators
Coconote, the AI-powered note-taking app used by over 1.5 million students, has announced that its premium version is now free for all educators nationwide as the back-to-school season begins. This move eliminates cost barriers for teachers and professors while positioning the Miami-based startup—built by former Loom engineers—as a major player in the educational technology space. What you should know: The announcement comes at a pivotal moment as Coconote reaches its biggest milestone of serving more than 1.5 million students this year. Built by veteran engineers who previously worked at Loom, a video messaging company acquired by Atlassian for $975 million,...
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