Marketplace Tech An Ohio newspaper gives AI a byline
6 snips
Mar 11, 2026 
Will Oremus, technology reporter at The Washington Post who covers AI and journalism. He walks through The Plain Dealer's use of AI in reporting and writing. He describes daily tools like transcription and scraping. He discusses an AI rewrite desk and the debate over AI replacing local coverage. He shares industry worries and possible near-term roles for AI in newsrooms.
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Newspaper Runs An AI Rewrite Desk
- The Plain Dealer uses AI across tasks from transcribing government meetings to scraping municipal sites for story leads.
- Their most controversial use is an "AI rewrite desk" that turns reporters' field notes into publishable articles.
AI Stories Tend Toward Press Release Rewrites
- AI-generated pieces at the Plain Dealer often resemble press-release rewrites and are described as basic and prolific.
- Will Oremus found the AI stories largely functional but not high-quality journalism, fitting routine, formulaic reporting.
Editor Compares AI To Old Rewrite Desk
- Chris Quinn frames AI as a modern version of the old rewrite desk to free reporters for fieldwork.
- Quinn believes AI can take notes and craft copy so reporters can spend more time interviewing and reporting in person.