Microsoft turns to robots to cut costs
Sci & Tech
By
BBC
| May 31, 2020
Microsoft is to replace dozens of contract journalists on its MSN website and use automated systems to select news stories, US and UK media report.
The curating of stories from news organisations and selection of headlines and pictures for the MSN site is currently done by journalists.
Artificial intelligence will perform these news production tasks, sources told the Seattle Times. Microsoft said it was part of an evaluation of its business.
The US tech giant said in a statement: “Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis. This can result in increased investment in some places and, from time to time, redeployment in others. These decisions are not the result of the current pandemic.”
Microsoft, like some other tech companies, pays news organisations to use their content on its website. But it employs journalists to decide which stories to display and how they are presented.
READ MORE
State to shut down 25 entities, privatise others in new reforms
Why Kenya must move fast to invest in digital rights security
State, workers' pay tensions cloud function
Why the super-rich are ditching commercial property investments
S Sudan Central Bank Governor Rallies East Africans to Invest in Juba
Co-op Bank lines up billions for women-owned SMEs after German loan deal
Construction players protest state's bid to tax mining sector
Insurance sector players to explore use of AI in deepening uptake
Sugarcane farmers accuse AFA of 'siding with cartels' as prices drop
Growing demand for housing births modern mansions in Nakuru slums
Around 50 contract news producers will lose their jobs at the end of June, the Seattle Times reports, but a team of full-time journalists will remain.
“It’s demoralising to think machines can replace us, but there you go,” one of those facing redundancy told the paper.
Some sacked journalists warned that artificial intelligence may not be fully familiar with strict editorial guidelines, and could end up letting through inappropriate stories.
Twenty-seven of those losing their jobs are employed by the UK’s PA Media, the Guardian reports.
- State to shut down 25 entities, privatise others in new reforms
- Sugarcane farmers accuse AFA of 'siding with cartels' as prices drop
- Forget miraa: Discovery of minerals stirs up Meru locals