This chatbot wants to solve AI’s news problem
This chatbot wants to solve AI s – Artificial intelligence chatbots are increasingly becoming a go-to tool for news discovery. However, their reliability hinges on the quality of the information they draw from, often leading to the spread of falsehoods and biased content. As these systems grow in popularity, news publishers face another challenge: being used without proper compensation for their work.
A New Approach to News Accuracy
NewsGuard, a startup known for evaluating the trustworthiness of news sources, has unveiled a novel solution. Its latest product, NewsGuard AI, filters information exclusively from sources it has verified as reliable. The chatbot provides citations and direct links to reputable outlets, aiming to combat misinformation while offering users a more transparent experience.
“Think of how the existing AI chatbots operate, and in every respect, NewsGuard AI does the opposite,” said Steven Brill, co-CEO of NewsGuard.
The initiative builds on a database of vetted sources and research highlighting flaws in popular chatbots like ChatGPT. Studies show these models are vulnerable to propaganda and prone to amplifying false claims. Gordon Crovitz, NewsGuard’s other co-CEO, noted, “The idea that our leading AI models are so susceptible to foreign disinformation operations is sobering. And they have not taken steps to disinfect themselves.”
The Business Model Behind NewsGuard AI
NewsGuard is positioning its chatbot as a revenue-generating opportunity for publishers. The product offers a 50-50 revenue share model, ensuring contributors are fairly compensated. While the initial version is free, the company plans to introduce a paid subscription tier at $6 per month, targeting users who value accuracy and transparency.
Marketing partnerships will play a key role in promoting the tool. Collaborations with magazines and independent bookstores aim to increase adoption. The startup’s COO, Matt Skibinski, demonstrated how the chatbot identifies medical misinformation and guides users to primary sources during a pre-launch showcase.
Publisher Partnerships and Legal Context
The Atlantic, a top-rated U.S. magazine, has joined the launch. Nicholas Thompson, the Atlantic’s CEO, praised the collaboration, stating, “Few things will matter more in the near future than the ability of humans to figure out what’s real, what’s false, and what’s confabulated nonsense. This is particularly true when it comes to news.”
NewsGuard’s strategy aligns with a broader trend in media. Major outlets are adopting a dual approach: some are suing AI companies for copyright infringement, while others are negotiating content licensing deals. Meredith Kopit Levien, CEO of The New York Times Co., highlighted the tension, noting, “These companies that make the LLMs have taken our work. They’ve used it without our permission.”
“You can’t copyright facts,” responded Perplexity, which faces a lawsuit from CNN. Brill added, “We’re trying to line up with publishers in a way that ensures they benefit from their own content.”
