Coner10h 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
12:34amFedica
Show threadtootbrute13h 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 threadthriftwicker11h ago
@dangillmor Yes. An experiment in how many people they can get to stop using goo gull.
Show threadReverendD11h 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 Largentaye10h 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 Gillmor10h ago
@jlargentaye I'm sorry to say you're right about that.
Show threadzetabeta9h 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 threadAndres7h ago
@jlargentaye @dangillmor Yeah, I was going to make a very similar comment. 🫤
Show threadkillick6h ago

@Andres4NY @jlargentaye @dangillmor

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

Show threadDuncan Bayne6h 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 NZ9h 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 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈42m ago
@dangillmor
It is simple.
Life is much better without Google.