Control Beyond Code: Ownership and Financial Insights of AI Used in Journalism
A study analyzing the financial performance and ownership structures of 100 AI companies whose tools are used by media and journalists
As a tool created by humans that relies on human knowledge and behavior as a guide, AI has a history of making mistakes and perpetuating human biases. Furthermore, these AI tools are predominantly owned and operated by private sector entities, indicating that financial and ownership factors influence the efficacy of generative AI tools. In order to maintain the integrity of media and journalism in the age of AI, it is essential to understand who has a stake in these AI tool companies and how AI is being used by the media. This will ensure the protection of consumers, democracy, and truth.
This report marks the initial phase of a larger initiative aimed at fostering transparency and informed decision-making regarding the use of AI tools in media and journalism. To this end, the report investigates the ownership, financial information, and intended use of 100 AI tool companies used by newsrooms around the world.
In addition to a quantitative analysis of 17 variables, this report includes a case study of a fact-checking AI used on content from the Israel-Hamas war. This case study illustrates the importance of maintaining the utmost transparency for private AI companies and of ensuring that journalists are fully informed about the tools they use to create news content.
Author: Sydney Martin
Editor: Marius Dragomir
Publisher: Media and Journalism Research Center
Publication year: 2024
To cite this article
Sydney Martin. (2024). Control Beyond Code: Ownership and Financial Insights of AI Used in Journalism. Tallinn/London/Santiago de Compostela: Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC).
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