Same guy as last time21h ago
Dan Gillmor

Google's profound contempt for journalists is on display as it rewrites publications' headlines in search results, sometimes altering the meaning and intent of the original. https://www.theverge.com/tech/896490/google-replace-news-headlines-in-search-canary-coal-mine-experiment

The company calls it an "experiment" -- as if that makes it OK.

Google Search is now using AI to replace headlines

Google is beginning to replace news headlines in its search results with ones that are AI-generated. After AI clickbait nonsense in its Google Discover news feed, it’s starting to mess with headlines in the “10 blue links” too.

The Verge
Mar 24 at 12:34amFedica
Show threadtootbrute21h ago
@dangillmor well journalists have shown how far backwards they can bend over for crypto, trump, and AI. I don't think they will fight back.
Show threadthriftwicker20h ago
@dangillmor Yes. An experiment in how many people they can get to stop using goo gull.
Show threadReverendD19h ago

@dangillmor Amazing they haven't modified the world population to fit the amount of unique "hits" they receive.

"There's 50 trillion humans. We know 'cause analytics show us."

Show threadJohn de Largentaye19h ago

@dangillmor headline writers have already demonstrated maximum contempt for journalists.

I won’t mind if Google can provide a more accurate summary than the click- and rage-bait headlines that publications favor these days.

Show threadDan Gillmor18h ago
@jlargentaye I'm sorry to say you're right about that.
Show threadzetabeta17h ago
@jlargentaye @dangillmor
point is not to defend clickbait or rage-bait. but alphabet inc may put those baits into extreme with a.i. generated garbage.
Show threadAndres15h ago
@jlargentaye @dangillmor Yeah, I was going to make a very similar comment. 🫤
Show threadkillick14h ago

@Andres4NY @jlargentaye @dangillmor

There's no call to suppose Google has any reason to make headlines _less_ rage-baity.

Show threadDuncan Bayne15h ago

@jlargentaye @dangillmor I saw a headline here today that read "Albo REFUSES to rule out $4 / L petrol".

What Australian politician would make *any* promises about fuel pricing right now?

It's just so obviously rage- / click-bait trash.

Agreed that it's ethically wrong for Google to re-write headlines they're linking to, but not necessarily because they'd be *worse*.

Show threadHTPC NZ17h ago
@dangillmor everyone moaning about copilot going to have the shock of their life that unlike their niche, masses are already flying with Captain Gemini..
Show threadWords are Wind 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈9h ago
@dangillmor
It is simple.
Life is much better without Google.
Show threadpafurijaz7h ago
@dangillmor I don’t recall the last time I used Google, but I’m sure it’s been 7–8 years, probably since I discovered DuckDuckGo. At first it was frustrating, much like the switch to Linux, but I don’t miss it. I would simply like to be able to use an Android device without Google, because even the iPhone doesn’t align with my way of life.
Show threadpafurijaz7h ago
@dangillmor In the past, before Google came along, you had to use multiple search engines to find information. Now DuckDuckGo is excellent, in fact, it’s far better than Google.
Show threadferricoxide6h ago

@dangillmor

With regards to:

The company calls it an "experiment" -- as if that makes it OK.How long was gMail technically in "beta"? Felt like it was forever, even beyond when it exited the invite-only phase.

Show thread⁂ L. Rhodes6h ago
@dangillmor Tampering with headlines is not the experiment. Google could do that internally. Seeing how much of the public will accept tampered headlines — that's the experiment.
Show threadMichael T Babcock6h ago
@dangillmor I both like and dislike this tbh.
I find a lot of headlines to be quite misleading on purpose, especially in tech news. I think at least half the time I wouldn't mind an AI summary headline instead.
My problem is I think both should be shown, and tagged appropriately.
Article: "Mission complete success!"
AI: "President makes claims he can't back up about mission."