Content Aware media news: September 19, 2024

AI's subprime bubble, new laws on the way, and the other big Google Trial - all in this week's Content Aware.

Published: 15:28, 19 September 2024

AI and the hype cycle
Is AI entering its own "subprime crisis" of uncertain outcomes, model collapse, and evaporating billions? Tech author and PR guru Ed Zitron climbs high up the view pole for this challenging take on the latest tech bubble, uncomfortable reading for anyone who was there when the first Dot Com Boom went pop.
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Joy in journalism: what keeps reporters thriving
A study reveals the joy journalists find in their work, contrasting the common narrative of burnout, cynicism, and crisis in the profession. Turns out we like our colleagues and the people we create content for, who'd'a thunk it! Respondents highlighted the fulfilment of impactful storytelling as a key factor in their roles.
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Sign or sue: the panel show
At the Future of Media Technology bash in London last week, arguably the spiciest panel was the 'Platforms versus publishers: sign or sue?' Q&A looking at the options facing publishers when it comes to deals with AI companies and other big tech platforms who benefit from content produced by media companies. As well as luminaries from Google, publishing, and SEO, was our own CEO Denis.
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So what if Google does get broken up?
The assumption Google being broken up is easily achievable misses a key point: even small parts of the business are too bog to be bought. Ricky Sutton investigates.
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Follow the trial
Selecting just one morsel to get agitated about from the giant US vs Google adtech trial is like rating a month-long food festival from a single bite. Follow the trail coverage, with daily shocks in the daily summaries.
US vs GoogleAds and also Big Tech on Trial and DCN.

Users guessing game: Meta dims AI labels
Meta has updated its labelling of AI content on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, making it less visible. With many different laws and regulations coming, such as the EU AI Act and the upcoming California Act, this tug of war between AI and regulators is a peek into the future: if you have something AI, expect to be obliged to say so, which which will likely apply to publishers too.
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Impact of Meta's ban on Canadian media
Meta's news ban in Canada, triggered by The Online News Act, led to an 85% drop in engagement via the social platform according to a recent study by The Media Ecosystem Observatory. Many outlets, especially smaller ones, lost significant traffic and revenue overnight. Overall news consumption and access to information has also suffered, especially in rural areas.
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Google boosts transparency for AI-created content
With a little help from the C2PA watermarking standard, Google is enhancing transparency for generative AI content and allowing users to spot AI-created images more easily. The plan is to apply the same to YouTube and ads.
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Awards countdown
Published some game-changing journalism which deserves to be celebrated for its excellence? Entries for the British Journalism Awards closes this week, so submit your nominations ASAP.
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