BuzzFeed, a popular media company, recently informed investors about the popularity of its AI-powered quizzes. According to Bloomberg, readers are spending 40 percent more time than on traditional quizzes. However, it’s important to note that BuzzFeed may present data in a biased way. The company has shuttered its Pulitzer-winning news division. It is also emphasizing investment in AI after laying off about 120 of its 1,200 employees.
Earlier this year, BuzzFeed announced plans to use human staff AI chatbots to create quizzes. It sounded like a fun idea though. But BuzzFeed’s use of AI extends beyond quizzes. They started publishing SEO-driven travel guides that relied heavily on repetitive phrases. When Futurism asked BuzzFeed about this, they mentioned that they are experimenting with AI to augment human creativity and exploring new formats that allow others to contribute to their site by creating content on-site.
However, so far, even BuzzFeed’s AI quizzes haven’t quite lived up to the creative and dynamic AI content promised by CEO Jonah Peretti in a CNN interview. BuzzFeed is not alone in this race. Because CNET and Men’s Health have started publishing full AI-generated articles that find fault with them.
Now, BuzzFeed is trying to justify its investment in AI by demonstrating its success to investors. Bloomberg reports that the company expects to earn a satisfactory amount of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization this fiscal year. If more human workers are laid off in the future, everyone will think that it is because of the use of artificial intelligence.