Berlin-based publishing giant, Axel Springer, has announced the closure of its news outlet, Upday. However, this move is not a sign of backing away from the news industry, but rather a strategic shift towards utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to generate trend news. The company plans to relaunch Upday in the summer of 2024 as a “trend news generator” driven by AI.
Upday, which has been pre-installed on Samsung cell phones and other devices under a 2015 deal between Axel Springer and Samsung, is set to close by the end of this year in its current form. As a result, jobs at Upday will be eliminated during the transformation process. However, the company is exploring options to retain and redeploy staff within the Axel Springer group.
According to a spokesperson, this transformation is driven by a desire to explore the potential opportunities that AI presents for journalism and the news industry. With 70 staff members remaining out of an original workforce of 150, the company hopes to leverage AI’s capabilities to offer a more tailored and engaging news experience to its readers.
Axel Springer owns several prominent news outlets, including the top-selling German tabloids Bild and Welt, as well as the U.S. political news website Politico. This move aligns with the company’s broader strategy of transitioning from print media to digital news platforms.
This decision highlights the increasing importance of AI in shaping the future of journalism. As AI technology continues to advance, it has become an invaluable tool for automating mundane tasks, analyzing data at scale, and generating personalized content. AI-powered news generators have the potential to revolutionize how news is delivered, allowing for greater personalization and relevance.
Axel Springer’s move to embrace AI as a trend news generator demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to adapting to the rapidly evolving media landscape. By harnessing the power of AI, the company aims to provide its readers with real-time, trend-driven news that is tailored to their interests and preferences.
In the words of the spokesperson, “AI is a game-changer for the news industry, and we want to leverage its potential to deliver an enhanced news experience to our audience. We believe that by using AI, we can not only keep pace with the changing media landscape but also stay one step ahead.”
As we approach the launch of the new Upday in 2024, the industry will be watching closely to see how Axel Springer’s AI-driven approach to trend news will unfold. If successful, it could serve as a blueprint for other news outlets looking to harness the power of AI to engage their audience and navigate the digital era of journalism.
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