Stuff’s new AI tool feels ‘as transformative as email’

Stuff Group is trialling a customised AI tool so its journalists can cover more local democracy news, the media company says.

The tool, Democracy AI, has been on trial for several weeks, helping journalists accurately report public documents, such as council meeting minutes, submissions and government reports.

It can edit stories to varying lengths and formats, as well as write summaries and headlines – allowing a seamless transition from digital to print. In the new The Waikato Local title, the tool is driving a column called ‘Ratepayers’ Roundup’.

Democracy AI has been giving Stuff journalists the ability to scan, prioritise and report on hyperlocal decision-making documents in higher volumes than before. This provides readers a clearer view on what’s happening in their communities. Any content produced is always cross-referenced with source documents by the journalists.

After the trial period, the team is preparing to use the reports in print.

Streamlining the newsroom

Stuff Masthead Publishing Managing Director Joanna Norris says the AI tool requires keen oversight from journalists, but allows far greater coverage of important democratic processes.

“Democracy is the power of people to participate in decision making. But without knowing exactly what is happening where and when, that power is diluted,” she says.

“Our trials of this GPT tool, which uses official council and government documents as source data to scan for news and decision making, has shown how we can streamline some aspects of the news gathering and writing process, allowing our reporters to focus on polishing and adding depth to the stories.”

An army of worker bees

Waikato Times Editor Jonathan MacKenzie says while initially sceptical, he has been amazed by the
speed at which his reporters can work when assisted by AI.

“We have 11 local authorities in our coverage area, so this tool is a win-win for our widely dispersed audience – and the newsroom,” he says.

“It’s like having an army of worker bees happily going about their toil, allowing our reporters to focus on more complex and meaningful stories that provide context for readers in their everyday lives.

“It’s far better for my staff to be out talking to people and digging for stories than stuck behind a desk reading a council agenda. In my experience, the best journalism is done when there’s more time for prospecting in the field and that’s what AI support affords us.”

Transformative advancements

“AI is a powerful tool for journalists, eliminating time-consuming manual processes and allowing reporters to focus on the high-impact investigative journalism, local human interest stories and analysis that AI can’t deliver,” says Norris.

“It brings the kind of efficiencies other technology advances have over the years. I’m old enough to remember when email came to our newsrooms – this feels as transformative.

“But we need to ensure we are using it in the right way, with clear checks and balances,
comprehensive training for our teams and ensuring every piece of content adheres to our Editorial Code of Practice and Ethics. That includes telling our audiences where and how AI is used.”

Developed by Norris

The tool was developed by Norris while participating in an AI for Business programme by Section with a cohort of New Zealand business leaders.

When the two-month pilot is complete, the Stuff team will continue work to improve the tool before assessing roll-out to further newsrooms in the group.

“Our mission is to help make Aotearoa better and there is no better way to do this than
by finding innovative, responsible ways to hold our public representatives, councils and Government to account.

“This is AI for the people, improving the hyperlocal news we publish and allowing our journalists to focus on the unique content AI cannot deliver,” says Norris.

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