LA Times rolls out AI-generated opposing viewpoint on columns — months after editorial board shakeup

New York Post - Apr 17th, 2025

In an effort to diversify perspectives on its opinion pages, the Los Angeles Times has introduced a feature called 'Insights,' which uses AI to provide summaries and opposing viewpoints on opinion columns. This initiative, spearheaded by Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, has sparked controversy among staff and readers. Soon-Shiong argues the changes are necessary to prevent the opinion section from becoming an echo chamber, despite criticism that the move panders to former President Trump. The recent article by Matt K. Lewis, which critiques the Trump administration's policies, was labeled as 'center-left' by the new feature, raising questions about the reliability and intention behind such classifications.

The introduction of 'Insights' has led to significant upheaval within the Times' editorial staff, with several resignations following editorial policy changes, including non-endorsement decisions. Critics argue that the AI-generated summaries oversimplify complex issues and may misrepresent the writers' intentions, as seen in the backlash from an AI interpretation of a historical piece on the Ku Klux Klan. While Soon-Shiong defends the initiative as a means to heal national polarization by respecting diverse opinions, others, like media columnist Margaret Sullivan, view it as a misguided attempt to align the paper with Trump. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of balancing editorial integrity with the desire for broader viewpoint representation in media.

Donald Trump Media Bias Matt K. Lewis Los Angeles Times Patrick Soon Shiong Ai Insights Opinion Diversity

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed overview of the changes at the Los Angeles Times, focusing on the introduction of AI-generated content and the shift in editorial policy under Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. While it offers a balanced presentation of different perspectives, it leans slightly towards emphasizing criticisms. The article is timely and engages with topics of public interest, such as media bias and AI in journalism. However, it could benefit from greater transparency regarding the methodology behind the AI feature and more diverse sources to enhance credibility. Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, with the potential to spark meaningful discussions about the role of AI and diversity in media.

Accuracy

The story presents several verifiable claims, such as Matt K. Lewis writing a column for the Los Angeles Times and the introduction of the 'Insights' feature. The claim that Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is implementing changes to increase viewpoint diversity is supported by his own statements. However, some claims, like the exact impact of the AI-generated opposing viewpoints and the specific motivations behind Soon-Shiong's actions, require further verification. The article accurately reports the resignation of editorial board members and the introduction of AI-generated content, but the motivations and reader responses are less substantiated.

Balance

The article attempts to present multiple perspectives, including those of Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, critics like Mariel Garza, and columnist Matt K. Lewis. However, it leans slightly towards criticizing Soon-Shiong’s changes, with more emphasis on the concerns and criticisms rather than supporting arguments for the new policies. The inclusion of different viewpoints is somewhat balanced, but the article could benefit from more in-depth exploration of the positive aspects of the changes being implemented.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. The language is accessible, and the tone remains neutral for the most part. However, the complexity of the topic might require more background information or explanation for readers unfamiliar with the intricacies of editorial policies and AI-generated content. Some sentences could be more concise to improve readability.

Source quality

The article references credible sources such as statements from Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and opinions from former and current columnists. The use of direct quotes from involved parties enhances the reliability of the information. However, the article could improve by including more diverse sources, such as independent experts or additional perspectives from readers or other media analysts, to provide a fuller picture of the situation.

Transparency

The article provides a reasonable amount of context regarding the changes at the Los Angeles Times and the motivations behind them. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind the AI-generated 'Insights' feature and the specific criteria used to label columns politically. Greater transparency about these processes would enhance the reader's understanding and trust in the reporting.