Germany’s largest newspaper, Bild, is undergoing a significant transformation that will see artificial intelligence (AI) take over many editorial roles. The publisher, Mathias Döpfner, has pledged to make Bild a “digital-only” brand, prompting an overhaul of its operations. On June 19, the newspaper’s parent company, Axel Springer, informed its staff that redundancies would be necessary, estimated to be in the hundreds. The company stated that jobs replaced by AI or automated processes in the digital world would be discontinued. Roles such as editors, print production journalists, proofreaders, photo editors, and assistants will be particularly affected. Alongside these changes, regional titles are being cut, and smaller newsrooms are being closed. Axel Springer, Europe’s largest publisher, acquired U.S. news titles Politico and Business Insider in 2021.
Previously, in March, CEO Mathias Döpfner warned his staff about the impact of AI in an internal letter, saying that it had the potential to either enhance or replace independent journalism. He stressed the importance of understanding this change for the future survival of publishing houses. The German Journalists Association criticized the recent changes, with its federal chairman, Frank Überall, calling it economically stupid and detrimental to both employees and readers.
The rise of AI in various industries has raised questions about its impact on employment, the accuracy of AI-generated information, and whether AI will surpass humans. In the media sector, companies like Gannett and Reuters have stated that they will incorporate AI in story production but with human oversight. While some see the potential benefits, figures like media mogul Barry Diller have expressed concerns about the destructive consequences of AI on the traditional media industry. Governments worldwide are now working on regulations to control the development of AI. Tesla founder Elon Musk, known for his criticism of uncontrolled AI innovation, has warned about its potential for civilization destruction and joined over 1,000 tech experts calling for an immediate pause in AI development. They argue that powerful AI systems should only be developed when their effects can be predicted and controlled for positive outcomes.