Axios Partners With OpenAI to “Automate” Local Journalism

Local journalism in the United States has faced an uphill battle for over two decades. The advent of digitalization initially decimated subscriptions, leaving newspapers and magazines in disarray. Subsequently, private equity firms acquired many publications, transforming them into digital ad farms staffed by minimal personnel. The erosion of trust in journalism, combined with a declining literacy rate, has pushed the industry to its most precarious position yet.

Amidst this gloom, one media conglomerate, Axios - a majority-owned corporation by communications giant Cox Enterprises, seems intent on sealing the fate of local news. Axios, founded in 2016, is known for its concise, bullet-point style journalism. This approach, however, might soon be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). Axios recently signed a three-year agreement with OpenAI, a leading AI firm, to underwrite 13 local newsletters.

In return, OpenAI will have unrestricted access to Axios's content to train its ChatGPT model. Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei, who views himself as an "AI lab rat," dismissed concerns about the move, stating he has no patience for AI deniers. This decision raises serious questions about journalistic integrity, especially given Axios's prior coverage of OpenAI and the conflict of interest that arises.

The company has been direct about its stance on the matter, telling its staff that embracing AI is non-negotiable. "If you’re scared, if you don’t like it, we don’t care—you have to embrace it." This decision could set a dangerous precedent in the journalism world, potentially leading to further automation and the eventual demise of local news.