A reporter at a Wyoming newspaper, Aaron Pelczar, resigned after admitting to using artificial intelligence to generate quotes and assist in writing stories, resulting in fabricated articles. The Powell Tribune uncovered evidence that Pelczar had fabricated quotes in multiple stories, leading to his departure from the Cody Enterprise. Several individuals, including Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, confirmed that they were misquoted in Pelczar’s articles.
Pelczar admitted to using an AI tool to write articles and create quotes, claiming he was unsure where some quotes came from. He agreed to issue apologies and correct any false quotes. Cody Enterprise removed the fabricated quotes and added editor’s notes to affected articles. Editor Chris Bacon took responsibility for the oversight, apologizing to readers, public figures, and others who were quoted incorrectly.
The publisher of Cody Enterprise, Megan Barton, acknowledged the incident as a “learning curve” and emphasized the importance of authentic reporting. The paper has implemented a system to detect AI-generated content and will enforce higher standards for employees. Barton stressed the need for reputable journalism and a commitment to accuracy in reporting for the benefit of the community. The newspaper aims to produce the best quality reporting while learning from the AI mishap and ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future.
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