Technology

Protecting the Fourth Estate: A Call for AI Transparency in Journalism

Published

4 months ago

May 28, 2024

Google is currently in the beta testing phase of its latest generative AI tool, which the company says is meant to assist journalists with their work. AI Experts warn that by 2026, 90% of web content will be AI-generated, giving rise to a potential bonanza of misinformation. (1) Karla Jo Helms, Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™, calls on tech innovators to take the lead in successfully merging the extraordinary advancements in AI with transparency, honesty, and accountability in journalism.

TAMPA BAY, Fla., May 28, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — An 18th-century philosopher and politician once observed, “There are three estates in Parliament, but in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.” Journalism should be an institution immune from any external forces that might compromise its mission. Independent publishers are currently being compensated in exchange for using Google’s unreleased generative AI platform to write some of their news stories. Does using AI to report current events violate journalistic integrity? Karla Jo Helms, Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™, cautions, “Artificial Intelligence has swiftly moved itself into nearly every facet of our lives, catalyzing a quantum leap in technological innovation. But its global influence presents ethical, legal, and societal challenges, especially in journalism. Leaders in technological innovation should proactively address these concerns to protect media integrity, uphold First Amendment principles, and protect their brand against misinformation in the court of public opinion.”

“AI has swiftly moved into nearly every facet of our lives, presenting ethical, legal, and societal challenges, especially in journalism. Leaders in technological innovation should proactively address these concerns to protect media integrity.” – Karla Jo Helms

As part of Google’s News Initiative program, participating publishers can earn a five-figure annual stipend by creating three daily articles, one weekly newsletter, and one monthly marketing campaign using Google’s most recent experimental AI tool. The platform helps publishers aggregate relevant sources from across the internet and then uses generative AI technology to summarize and rewrite the source material into a news story format. Google insists that its AI technology is not meant to replace the essential role of journalists or duplicate other media outlets’ work and that publishers still maintain complete editorial control over what they choose to publish. (2)

Google’s Gemini AI Chatbot will soon take its place next to the Google search bar. The company says, “Google will do the Googling for you.” The information is gleaned from articles and professional insights written by journalists from a wide range of media outlets. News media professionals fear these initiatives will be catastrophic to their already-diminished web traffic and stifle their ability to monetize their content. (3) The legal implications of copyright infringement and intellectual property ownership can also be costly and undermine the moral authority of news reporting.

Helms explains, “The consequences of using artificial intelligence to assume the responsibilities of the Fourth Estate could jeopardize the quality, integrity, and accuracy of news stories.” Publishers are not required to disclose that their content is AI-generated, which can result in misinformation, a lack of investigative and critical analysis, or superficial coverage of complex topics. And despite the outward appearance of being an objective digital entity, AI may produce biased reporting based on the content of their training data. The credibility of news outlets could suffer as more readers realize that the news they have trusted for years is now artificially generated.

A Pew Research Center poll found that 84% of Americans believe that U.S. news organizations are in some way influenced by corporations, financial interests, the government, and political alliances. (4) Disinformation campaigns using AI-generated news stories can destroy a brand’s reputation by spreading lies, propaganda, and unfounded rumors.

Helms, whose Anti-PR agency supports disruptively innovative tech companies in their mission to educate the market via multimedia news channels, issues a call to action: “The tech industry needs to band together to help keep the First Amendment operating at the highest standards for the benefit of all and to protect their brand by facing AI head-on.”

There needs to be a combined effort to implement the following strategies:

1.Promote Ethical AI Development

Advocate for the development of AI systems that prioritize accuracy, fairness, and transparency.Support research and initiatives that work to mitigate biases in AI algorithms.

2. Ensure Transparency

Encourage news outlets to clearly disclose the use of AI in content creation.Develop guidelines for transparent AI usage that can be adopted industry-wide.

3. Support Journalists

Invest in AI initiatives that enhance the quality of journalistic pursuits.Advocate for a balanced approach where AI assists journalists without displacing them.

4. Foster Public Trust

Engage in public discourse about the ethical use of AI in journalism.Support educational programs that inform the public about AI and its implications in media.

5. Develop Ethical Standards

Collaborate with regulatory bodies to develop and enforce ethical standards for AI in journalism.Promote the creation of an independent body to oversee the ethical use of AI in media.

Helms contends, “As AI technology advances, detecting AI’s influence over public sentiment will become increasingly important. It is incumbent upon tech industry leaders to take steps toward advocating for ethical, transparent, and principled journalistic practices to ensure that AI helps to build rather than undermine public trust in the Fourth Estate.”

About JOTO PR Disruptors™
Founded by PR veteran Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR Disruptors™ emerged from extensive market research with CEOs of fast-growth companies. The agency combines crisis management skills with advanced media algorithms to develop Anti-PR® campaigns. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JOTO PR is globally recognized for its innovative Anti-PR services. More information is available at http://www.jotopr.com.

About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.
She learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line—and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinion. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.

References:
1. “AI Experts Predict by 2026 90 of Online Content.” AI Experts Predict By 2026 90 Of Online Content, idc-a.org/news/industry/AI-Experts-Predict-By-2026-90-Of-Online-Content/127ab0c0-34ba-4c03-8bad-1e4f21923f31. Accessed 20 May 2024.
2. Irwin, Lauren. “Google Paying Independent Publishers to Test Unreleased Generative AI Platform.” The Hill, The Hill, 28 Feb. 2024, thehill.com/policy/technology/4492468-google-paying-independent-publishers-test-unreleased-generative-ai-platform/.
3. Darcy, Oliver. “News Publishers Sound Alarm on Google’s New AI-Infused Search, Warn of ‘catastrophic’ Impacts | CNN Business.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 May 2024, cnn.com/2024/05/15/media/google-gemini-ai-search-news-outlet-impact/index.html.
4. Eddy, Kirsten. “Most Americans Say a Free Press Is Highly Important to Society.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 23 Apr. 2024, pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/23/most-americans-say-a-free-press-is-highly-important-to-society/.

Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4619
jotopr.com

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

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Technology

Bonus Days Off, No Meeting Days and Virtual Water Coolers: Naturals2Go Brings a New Era of Company Culture & Commitment

Published

21 mins ago

September 20, 2024

Naturals2Go, a leader in the unattended retail, breakroom experience, and vending industry, is unveiling a series of meaningful initiatives designed to foster connection, creativity, and care within its workforce. These initiatives reflect Naturals2Go’s commitment to cultivating an environment where both personal and professional growth are prioritized, helping the quickly growing company hold its position as an organization that simply values its employees with as much care as its customers. It just does business differently.

SAVANNAH, Ga., Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Naturals2Go, a leader in the unattended retail, breakroom experience, and vending industry, is unveiling a series of meaningful initiatives designed to foster connection, creativity, and care within its workforce. These initiatives reflect Naturals2Go’s commitment to cultivating an environment where both personal and professional growth are prioritized, helping the quickly growing company hold its position as an organization that simply values its employees with as much care as its customers. It just does business differently.

Encouraging people to just breathe – to step away from work and know you can enjoy what you have without worry – is what we’re trying to do here.

Innovation In Action

Naturals2Go is known for innovating the vending industry by offering the only proven program to enhance or improve income, investment, or future wealth through a part-time or full-time vending machine business. They have changed the industry again by developing regional operations centers and a wider range of services.

To do so, Naturals2Go has grown from 20 to 140 employees over the past four years. To help the team stay successful and cared for through this rapid expansion, Naturals2Go executives have introduced three new programs.

These exciting initiatives enhance the quality of life, not just work, for employees — whether they are one of the 100 remote members of the team or in one of the company’s regional operations centers (ROCs).

“You don’t have to be, and shouldn’t be, ‘in it’ all the time,” says Heath Falzarano, President of Naturals2Go.

Refresh2Go: This initiative gives employees one additional (paid) Friday each month, at the same time, to step away from work to recharge however they wish.Vision2Go: Every Wednesday, employees have a mandatory day of no meetings — a day dedicated to creative thinking, process improvement, and strategic planning. This initiative helps individuals and teams take a breather from day-to-day demands and see the bigger picture to guide improvements from ideas to efficiencies.Water Cooler Chats: Recognizing the challenges faced by a dispersed workforce, Naturals2Go has also implemented two daily 15-minute water cooler chats. These optional sessions are designed for a social break – a chance to connect with peers they may not even know yet, strengthening the company’s culture and community.

Why These Initiatives Matter

Falzarano emphasizes his personal belief in caring for those in the organization as much as customers: “We get to help people make a really good living while also letting them live a really good life.” This is true for both the company and those who invest in a Naturals2Go business program.

The importance of these initiatives is underscored by industry trends which highlight the growing need for companies to prioritize employee well-being. Falzarano has championed these initiatives at Naturals2Go, believing that a healthy, supported workforce is crucial to the company’s long-term success.

“Encouraging people to just breathe – to step away from work and know you can enjoy what you have without worry – is what we’re trying to do here,” Falzarano explains. “Nothing bad is going to happen by taking care of yourself a bit more. I know we can do what we need to do in less time, more focus, and just feel better.”

About Naturals2Go

Naturals2Go is the leading unattended retail, breakroom experience and vending business opportunity in the United States – a trusted partner helping entrepreneurial-minded professionals grow for over 35 years. Naturals2Go is an innovator in healthy and intelligent vending and is the highest-rated, longest-serving, most awarded Vending Business Opportunity Company in the United States. The company is expanding with regional operations centers across the U.S. and an expanded suite of services plus a commitment to regional investment, local employment, and community impact. Naturals2Go is committed to leading the industry with a forward-thinking approach and a strong company culture.

If you would like more information about Naturals2Go, email kim.page@naturals2go.com or visit Naturals2Go on the Web at www.naturals2go.com.

Media Contact

Kim Page, Naturals2Go, 1 716-247-6621, kim.page@naturals2go.com, https://www.naturals2go.com/

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SOURCE Naturals2Go

Technology

This Week in Consumer News: 13 Stories You Need to See

Published

21 mins ago

September 20, 2024

A roundup of the most newsworthy consumer and retail announcements from PR Newswire this week, including new holiday flavors from My/Mochi and Simply, plus Toy Insider’s hottest toys of 2024.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help consumer/retail journalists and consumers stay on top of the week’s most newsworthy and popular releases, here’s a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn’t be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

Tupperware Voluntarily Initiates Chapter 11 Proceedings
Tupperware will seek Court approval to continue operating during the proceedings and remains focused on providing its customers with its award-winning, innovative products through Tupperware sales consultants, retail partners and online.M&M’S® Captures A Classic Within Its Iconic Colorful Candy Shell; Introducing NEW M&M’S Peanut Butter & Jelly
The first new flavor innovation since 2022, the delicious addition features berry flavored bite-sized chocolate treats with a deliciously smooth peanut butter center that will transport fans to the comforting experience of a PB&J sandwich.Chili’s® Fires at Fast Food Again with Irresistible 3 For Lunch Combos
During the week (Monday-Friday) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time (at participating locations), guests can enjoy real value with 11 available options in the new 3 For Lunch Combos, featuring bottomless chips and salsa, choice of entrée and a bottomless non-alcoholic drink, all starting at just $10.99.My/Mochi™ Makes the Holidays “Joyfully Chill” With the Launch of Three NEW Flavors: Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows, Sugar Cookie and Gingerbread
The original and largest mochi ice cream brand is also bringing back fan favorites Pumpkin Spice, Apple Pie á la Mode and Cool Peppermint. “My/Mochi is all about stretching the possibilities of what’s possible with mochi, and this time of year gives us so much runway to have fun with new flavors,” says Brigette Wolf, Chief Marketing Officer, My/Mochi.Crocs Launches the Keep It Going Classic Clog Made with 25% Recycled Material from Consumers’ Well-Loved Shoes
By incorporating bio-circular content, Crocs is giving a second life to plant-based byproducts that would have otherwise ended up as waste through material innovation. In combination with the 25% post-consumer recycled content, the Keep It Going Classic Clog showcases the brand’s efforts at the intersection of circular innovation and materials.KIT KAT® is Giving YOU a Break This Fall to Celebrate Its New Vanilla Flavor
To celebrate, KIT KAT® is giving fans a “break” through a giveaway on @KITKAT_US’s Instagram, where four lucky winners will receive KIT KAT®-branded BÉIS Carry-on luggage filled with KIT KAT® Vanilla bars, and one grand prize winner will receive an additional $1,000 vacation rental marketplace gift card toward travel expenses to spend on a vanilla getaway this fall.Target Brings Holiday Magic with More Savings Across Largest Holiday Assortment Ever
Target is offering consumers savings all season long starting with Target Circle Week, Oct. 6-12, for those who want a head start on holiday shopping. The retailer is also preparing to deliver a joyful and easy shopping experience by investing in its existing team and hiring approximately 100,000 additional seasonal team members.STOUFFER’S® Debuts First Shelf-Stable Offering with New Format of Macaroni and Cheese
With a stovetop cooking time of just ten minutes and no additional ingredients required, STOUFFER’s Supreme Shells & Cheese is a great-tasting and effortless meal for any night of the week, offering the perfect answer to the age-old question “What’s for dinner?” Martha Stewart’s Revitalizing Secret Exposed! Pure Leaf Unsweetened Iced Tea is “Martha’s Little Helper” in New Campaign As seen in videos across social media, her secret stash of Pure Leaf is always accessible for a quick, revitalizing pick-me-up – whether buried in her garden, hidden in her library books or even baked into a homemade cake.Holiday Shoppers, Rejoice: The Toy Insider Experts Reveal the Hottest Toys of 2024 that Deliver Big Value!
This year’s hottest toys appear on one of three featured lists: the Hot 20, the most popular playthings of the year; the STEM 10, top toys that encourage STEM learning; and the 12 Under $20, the best toys that won’t break the bank.Makers of the Jennie-O® Brand Share New State-By-State Consumer Insights on All Things Thanksgiving Among the survey findings: Most people take up to two weeks to plan and cook their Thanksgiving meal. Actual food preparation for this monumental eating occasion adds another three days, and five hours of actual cooking on the day of.Move Over Pumpkin Spice, Simply Spiked® Cranberry Arrives Just in Time to be Your New Fall Favorite
This limited-time offering marks the brand’s first foray into seasonal releases, introducing two delicious varieties: Signature Cranberry and Apple Cranberry.Personalized Skincare Brand, Curology Marks 10 Year Anniversary With A Funfetti® Partnership
Designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia and joy, the lip balm captures the nostalgic Funfetti® vanilla cake batter notes, sugared sprinkle sweetness, and signature vanilla frosting, aligning perfectly with the celebratory spirit of the brand’s anniversary.

For more news like this, check out all of the latest retail-related releases from PR Newswire.

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Customization: Users can create customized newsfeeds that will deliver relevant news right to their inbox. Newsfeed results can be targeted by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more.Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include in a journalist or blogger’s next story.Subject Matter Experts: Journalists will have access to ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in their articles.Related Resources: Our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, features regular media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more.

About PR Newswire

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Technology

This Week in Tech News: 13 Stories You Need to See

Published

21 mins ago

September 20, 2024

A roundup of the most newsworthy tech announcements from PR Newswire this week, including Starlink Wi-Fi on United flights and a flying car manufacturing deal.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help tech journalists and consumers stay on top of the week’s most newsworthy and popular releases, here’s a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn’t be missed.

IBM and Microsoft Open Three New Experience Zones to Provide Global Clients with More Hands-on Access to Cloud and Generative AI Solutions
These Experience Zones are designed to help global clients across industries, such as financial services, government, healthcare, industrial, manufacturing and consumer packed goods (CPG), find new ways to derive value from generative AI, hybrid cloud and other Microsoft products and technologies.B-FY passwordless biometric solution: a real gamechanger in the fight against Cybercrime
The ongoing reliance on passwords as a primary authentication method has left countless organizations vulnerable to attacks, resulting in severe financial and reputational damage. B-FY offers a robust solution to this growing vulnerability by eliminating the need for passwords altogether.Lockheed Martin Awarded GeoXO Lightning Mapper Contract to Support Forecasters with Severe Weather Monitoring
The GeoXO Lightning Mapper (LMX) instrument detects and measures lightning flashes while onboard NOAA’s next-generation GeoXO weather satellites. This lightning data will provide persistent severe weather observations of the Western Hemisphere, improving storm analysis and prediction, and aiding the detection of tornado-producing storms.Zero Latency VR Enters A New Era With 100 Venues Worldwide And 4 Million Players Pushing The Limits Of Reality
Zero Latency is gearing up to launch its most ambitious experience yet: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine VR – Defenders of Avarax. This groundbreaking adventure will plunge players into the most expansive and intricately detailed VR universe ever crafted.NASA Shares Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Remarks
The awards recognized the women who contributed to the space race, including the NASA mathematicians who helped land the first astronauts on the Moon under the agency’s Apollo Program.Alef signs mass manufacturing flying car agreement
PUCARA Aero and MYC, a joint venture with experience manufacturing aviation grade parts for Boeing and Airbus, signs an agreement to manufacture parts for Alef. Alef has secured over 3,200 pre-orders and is now entering agreements for mass production of its Model A flying car.The Inflight Wi-Fi Revolution Now Arriving: United Signs Starlink Deal to Provide Industry-Leading Connectivity in the Sky – For Free
“We’re excited to team up with United Airlines to transform the inflight experience,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer at SpaceX. “With Starlink onboard your United flight, you’ll have access to the world’s most advanced high-speed internet from gate to gate, and all the miles in between.”Spectrum Announces Unprecedented Customer Commitment, Free Internet Speed Lifts and New Bundled Pricing
These commitments are encapsulated within Spectrum’s new brand platform, Life Unlimited, which provides customers access to a life of ‘unlimited’ opportunity and possibility when seamlessly connected through Spectrum’s Internet, Mobile and Video services.Chipotle Debuts Autocado and the Augmented Makeline by Hyphen in Restaurants
With Autocado, crew members can focus on assisting with other food prep items and delivering exceptional hospitality to guests while Autocado cuts avocados, removes their skin, and separates their fruit through an automated process. On average, it takes Autocado approximately 26 seconds to fully flesh out the fruit inside an avocado.Infinix Taps Porsche Dreamer Stories Featured Creator: Discover the ZERO 40 Series GoPro Mode
Creative photographer Allan Yegon, armed with his Infinix ZERO 40 5G and GoPro device, embarked on an East African adventure. He dove beneath the waves and captured the rare moment of swimming with a giant whale shark.TerraMaster Unveils 9 New NAS Models with TOS 6 System
TerraMaster, a leading brand in home and enterprise storage solutions, announced the launch of 9 new NAS models, including two 8-bay all-flash NAS models specifically designed for high-performance needs.Ginkgo Bioworks Launches New Protein LLM and Model API Built on Google Cloud Technology
Chris Sakalosky, vice president of Strategic Industries, Google Cloud: “Ginkgo’s new protein LLM and open API mark a major step forward in making advanced AI tools accessible for drug discovery and biological research. By leveraging Google Cloud’s infrastructure and AI capabilities, Ginkgo is empowering both enterprises and individual scientists to accelerate their work and drive innovation in the life sciences.”Behind the Scenes at Apple Event 2024: How the iPhone 16 Pro and SmallRig Phone Cage Created Cinematic Magic?
It is the third consecutive year that the SmallRig phone cage has appeared at Apple’s event and the fourth consecutive year it has been featured in an Apple spot for the new iPhone series, showcasing how to achieve professional cinematic video using an iPhone.

For more news like this, check out all of the latest technology-related releases from PR Newswire.

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Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Info-Tech Research Group’s Info-Tech LIVE 2024 took place September 17-19 at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. It offered journalists and media influencers a sneak peek into the latest technology research and trends, exclusive content, and the opportunity to meet industry experts, analysts and speakers.

Here are the front row updates straight from Info-Tech Research Group:

Info-Tech LIVE 2024 Day 1 Highlights: Key Insights Shared on Exponential IT, GenAI, and Emerging IT Trends The CIO Playbook Revealed by Info-Tech Research Group at LIVE 2024: New Program Will Drive IT Excellence Through a Systematic 12-Month Roadmap Next-Generation Management & Governance Framework Unveiled at LIVE 2024 Conference Will Empower IT Leaders in an Era of Exponential IT

Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News

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