Politico, Union Clash Over AI Use

Politico and Union Face Off Over AI Tool Implementation

Politico, along with its sister publication E&E News, is embroiled in a legal dispute with the PEN Guild over the use of AI tools in its newsroom. The union alleges that Politico has breached AI regulations outlined in their contract, sparking a debate about the role of AI in journalism and the ethical implications of its use.

The dispute centers on Politico's introduction of AI tools, specifically the Policy Intelligence Assistance tools developed with Capitol AI. These tools, described by a Politico executive as "seamlessly integrating generative AI with our unmatched policy expertise," have been used to create live news summaries for major political events. However, union members claim these tools violate their contract and perform tasks typically handled by human staff.

Contract Breach Allegations

According to PEN union chair Ariel Wittenberg, Politico is required to provide 60 days' notice for any new technology that impacts job duties. The union asserts they received no such notice and were not given the opportunity to negotiate the deployment of AI tools. This lack of communication has led to claims that Politico has failed to uphold its bargaining agreement obligations.

Union vice chair Arianna Skibell further argues that AI tools must meet the same ethical and style standards as human journalists. There are concerns about the lack of human oversight for AI-generated content, particularly after incidents where AI summaries contained factual errors and inappropriate language.

Ethical Concerns and Industry Implications

The dispute raises broader questions about the ethical use of AI in journalism. Politico's contract stipulates that AI use must align with journalistic ethics, but union members claim this has not been the case. Incidents such as an AI-generated live summary misattributing actions by the Biden Administration to Kamala Harris during the vice presidential debates have fueled these concerns.

The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for the media industry, as other publications grapple with the integration of AI tools. Politico's parent company, Axel Springer, has multiyear licensing deals with OpenAI, similar to other major media outlets. As AI becomes more prevalent in newsrooms, disputes like this one may become more common.

Future of AI in Journalism

The clash between Politico and its union highlights the need for clear guidelines and protections regarding AI use in journalism. As AI tools continue to evolve, it is essential that they are integrated in a way that respects journalistic standards and the rights of journalists. The resolution of this dispute will be closely watched by the industry, as it could shape the future of AI in newsrooms.