The conflict between the media and companies and start-ups that develop AI is in full swing and it does not seem likely that it will be easy to end. This is mainly due to certain concerns of the journalistic community related to the risk of being replaced by dynamically developing technology.
In addition, there is the issue of copyright and the fact that AI, when using sources, rarely refers to them. Ultimately, we are talking about a situation that is in some way similar to the one in the case of the conflict between Big Tech and the artistic industry, which is also afraid of the development of generative AI.
Particle decided to meet this situation and its ambition is to build a strong bridge between AI and traditional online media. But what exactly is the project they have prepared?
Particle a noble cause of former Twitter employees
Particle launched its own application that uses AI to collect and present world news. However, what distinguishes it from other ideas (or even ChatGPT itself) is an attempt to support publishers, not compete with them for the reader’s attention. The creators of the new project emphasize that instead of “stealing” content, they want to offer some type of cooperation. The application assumes the division of advertising revenues and linking to the original texts of news websites. This way both parties benefit.
Particle.news users receive personalized news, which simultaneously generates traffic and profits for the media and the creators themselves. Such actions are intended to help publishers maintain their position on the market where AI is increasingly expanding, posing a real threat to them.
At the same time, Particle is supposed to be a kind of solution to the growing problems that publishers have. It has long been known that AI models, when using their content, copy it and often omit the sources. The application in question is to be different and, above all, to respect the intellectual property and property rights of publishers. This is an ideal situation for both parties, because Particle connects users with valuable content, while ensuring that original sources are recognized and rewarded for their contributions.
Particle the future for the media?
Very interestingly, beta tests of the application showed that readers actually want to go to the sources and use them. This shows that Particle can be treated as a bridge or news aggregation, similar to what Google News offers. Of course, it is worth making clear at this point that all this may change when many more people are allowed to use it.
The team responsible for the project also announced that they are conducting talks on further negotiations with publishers. This is mainly about access to paid content, some of which could be used by AI. These conversations just seem even harder.
So is this the future of media? Very possible. Is this something we should be afraid of? Only if AI is used excessively. If the entire project is accepted, the use of such technologies may have a huge and, above all, positive impact on the media and the creation of their own information environments.
