Updated at 5:46 p.m.: Sports Illustrated sent the following statement:
Today, an article was published claiming that Sports Illustrated published an AI-generated article. Based on our initial research, this is not accurate. The article in question was a product review, content he licensed from AdVon Commerce, an external third-party company. Many of AdVon’s e-commerce articles were published on certain Arena websites. We continually monitor our partners and were in the midst of an investigation when these allegations were raised. AdVon assured us that all articles in question were written and edited by humans. AdVon says its writers, editors, and researchers create and moderate content, and follow a policy of using both anti-plagiarism and anti-AI software on all content. However, we found that AdVon had writers use pens or pseudonyms on certain articles to protect their privacy. This is behavior we do not tolerate, and we have removed the content while an internal investigation continues, and we have since ended our partnership.
Original story continues below.
The parent company that owns the once-lauded and prestigious magazine Sports Illustrated is adding more AI to its readers’ attention. Instead of telling viewers that the AI-generated, garbled, nonsensical content was created by a chatbot, the company uses fake writers sporting AI-generated mugshots to create fake content. Attempted to smuggle content to readers.
Arena Group, which owns traditional media organizations such as Sports Illustrated and financial news site TheStreet, is allegedly creating a carousel of fake AI bylines that appear at the top of AI-generated content posted on both sites. First reported. futurism. The author is “Drew Ortiz” and “Sora Tanaka” Both had biographies that chronicled their home lives and interests, from camping and fishing to fitness and nutrition. However, both had the following profile pictures: for sale From Generated Photos, a service that sells AI-generated fake headshots.
These are just two examples of what is reportedly a rotating cast of fake profiles designed to provide a hidden human face over AI-generated content. Futurism cited anonymous sources who claimed to be involved in the creation of the AI personas as saying that they were being pushed to the company’s site in “massive quantities.” These professional-looking profiles are exchanged with each other on a regular basis.
Articles derived from these AI-generated profiles include shopping listicles intended to generate revenue through affiliate links.one of them article Its origins date back to 2021 and include these great lines: “Volleyball can be a little difficult to get started, especially without an actual ball to practice with. You have to get the basics hammered into your head before you can actually play the game as intended. Yes, and that requires a dedicated practice space and a full-sized volleyball.”
Although these articles and profiles are no longer available on the Sports Illustrated website, many are still readily available through the Internet Archive. Futurism claimed that Arena Group removed both the article and the AI author after contacting the media conglomerate. Gizmodo reached out to The Arena Group for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
This type of AI-generated byline looks like it’s trying to trick readers into thinking they’re getting advice from a consumer product expert, but it’s also trying to trick Google’s search and advertising algorithms. There is a possibility.Currently, many Junk news website sends out fake AI articles or Total plagiarism from other news sites To make a few bucks at a time from Google AdSense and other algorithmic advertising services.
The company has previously expressed concerns about how Google evaluates its AI efforts. Arena Group CEO Ross Levinson said: wall street journal If you spam the internet full of incredible AI articles, “Google will penalize you.” “More is not always better. Good is better,” he added.
Google claims it strives to focus on “the quality of content, not how it’s created” and has policies against advertising fake or plagiarized content. By putting a human face on the article, these product reviews can try to trick systems meant to stop advertising AI-generated content.
So far, most media owners’ attempts at AI content creation have failed spectacularly, with Gizmodo’s parent company’s efforts was no exception. red ventures, The company that owns CNETand Gannett, a chain that owns hundreds of local newspapers, had to publish. Mass correction A large amount of AI-generated journalistic incompetence.
Companies routinely claimed that AI would not cause layoffsBut Arena Group started With the staff at the time who took over in 2019 again early this year Around the time we first announced our shift to AI content. The first layoffs were an attempt to “refocus” on the mobile platform. The change in direction is similar to news published Monday by popular legacy science magazine Popular Science. abandon digital magazine It will “prioritize investments in new formats” including “commerce, video and other initiatives.”
Again, Google Articles no longer need to be written by people It will appear higher in searches. Google itself also allows advertisers to: Create ads using generative AI, so there could be a future where fake AI writers create fake AI content to make money from fake AI ads. The only thing missing from this self-cannibalizing circular system is a fake AI leader.