Los Angeles Times Owner Plans to Implement AI “Bias Metre” on News Articles
Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, has announced his intention to introduce an AI-powered “bias metre” on the news articles published by the newspaper. This move is aimed at providing readers with a more balanced perspective on various issues.
Soon-Shiong, a biotech entrepreneur who acquired the Times in 2018, recently revealed in an interview with CNN political analyst Scott Jennings that he has been working on developing an AI bias metre behind the scenes. The technology, which is scheduled for release in January, is based on the same augmented intelligence system that Soon-Shiong has been using for medical applications since 2010.
Source: Fortune
The purpose of the bias metre, according to Soon-Shiong, is to help readers identify any potential biases in the news articles they are reading. By pressing a button, readers will be able to access both sides of a story and make more informed decisions.
However, the announcement has sparked criticism from the union that represents Times newspaper employees, who accused Soon-Shiong of unfairly suggesting that the staff harbors bias without providing any evidence. In response, the Los Angeles Times Guild reaffirmed their commitment to ethical journalism practices and maintaining a balanced approach to reporting.
Despite the backlash, Soon-Shiong remains steadfast in his plans to restructure the editorial board and introduce more conservative and moderate voices to the opinion section of the newspaper. This has led to the resignation of senior staff members, including Harry Litman and Kerry Cavanaugh, who have expressed concerns about the direction the publication is taking under Soon-Shiong’s leadership.
As the debate over media bias and editorial independence continues, it remains to be seen how Soon-Shiong’s AI bias metre will impact the way news is reported and consumed by readers.
