CNET editor-in-chief Connie Guglielmo steps down for AI-generated content material function

Following monthslong questions on how CNET makes use of synthetic intelligence instruments, longtime CNET editor-in-chief Connie Guglielmo will step down from her function and tackle a brand new job: senior vice chairman of AI content material technique and editor-at-large, based on an inner draft memo circulated at the moment, a replica of which was obtained by The Verge.

In her new function, Guglielmo will work on machine studying technique at Crimson Ventures, the personal equity-backed media firm that acquired the tech information web site in 2020. Adam Auriemma, the previous editor-in-chief of a unique Crimson Ventures outlet, NextAdvisor, will develop into editor-in-chief. NextAdvisor, a private finance outlet, seems to now not be energetic — the positioning’s Twitter account hasn’t posted since January, it now not seems on Crimson Ventures’ record of manufacturers, and its web site redirects to CNET.

Guglielmo’s transfer to her synthetic intelligence function comes simply hours after The Verge reported that mass layoffs have been underway at CNET. A minimum of a dozen workers misplaced their jobs, together with some longtime figureheads on the firm, based on sources with information of the layoffs. The total extent of the layoffs will not be but clear as employees work to determine which colleagues are affected — the quantity may very well be as excessive as 26 or extra, sources say.

After Futurism revealed in January that CNET had been quietly publishing dozens of articles generated utilizing AI, Guglielmo and different Crimson Ventures leaders defended the usage of automation instruments regardless of public concern round how the apply was carried out. The software’s use was quickly paused whereas Crimson Ventures performed an inner audit of all AI-generated content material throughout its websites. Quickly after, greater than half of the articles have been up to date with corrections.

Guglielmo, who has been CNET editor-in-chief for 9 years, has defended the usage of AI instruments on the outlet. In late January, she mentioned in a blog post that although the AI-generated tales have been halted, the newsroom would proceed testing AI instruments that may “assist [CNET’s] groups.”

A number of former CNET employees informed The Verge that editorial independence was chipped away beneath Guglielmo’s management and Crimson Ventures’ possession. Former employees recounted a number of cases of workers being pressured to vary their work to appease advertisers, and different workforce members have been repeatedly requested to work on advertisements and prioritize work that served advertising functions and ranked extremely in Google search.

The newest spherical of layoffs is much from the primary: former CNET employees informed The Verge that some groups have been decimated by previous cuts to the workforce, whereas different staffers have been pushed out over time.

Crimson Ventures didn’t instantly reply to The Verge’s request for remark.