The Italian newspaper Il Foglio has made history by becoming the first publication to release an entire edition written by artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking experiment raises important questions about AI’s role in journalism.
AI Takes Over Journalism
As part of a month-long project, Il Foglio introduced a four-page AI-created supplement called Il Foglio AI. This edition was included in both print and online versions of the newspaper. According to editor Claudio Cerasa, AI handled every aspect of the edition, including writing, headlines, summaries, and even humor. The only human involvement was inputting prompts into the AI tool and reviewing the final content.
The project aims to explore how AI can shape journalism. News organizations worldwide are discussing AI’s role in the industry. Recently, the BBC announced plans to use AI for personalized content, showing how major media outlets are experimenting with this technology.
AI-Generated News Without Human Quotes
The AI-written edition covers various topics, including politics, international affairs, and social trends. One article critiques Italian Trump supporters, while another analyzes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “10 betrayals.” A third piece highlights positive economic data from Italy’s national statistics agency, Istat. Additionally, the edition includes an article about young Europeans moving away from traditional relationships.
The articles are structured well, with clear writing and proper grammar. However, a notable difference from traditional journalism is the absence of direct quotes from human sources. Instead, AI generates responses and analysis based on existing data.
The final page features AI-generated reader letters. One letter asks if AI will make humans obsolete. In response, the AI humorously states that it still struggles to order coffee correctly, highlighting its current limitations.
Testing AI’s Role in Journalism
Editor Claudio Cerasa emphasized that Il Foglio AI functions like a real newspaper, offering news, debate, and thought-provoking content. He believes the project provides valuable insight into AI’s practical applications in journalism and its broader impact on society.
“This is just another Il Foglio, made with intelligence—don’t call it artificial,” Cerasa remarked.
The use of AI in journalism is a growing trend. Some media companies already use AI for basic reporting, such as financial updates and sports scores. However, Il Foglio‘s experiment takes it further by allowing AI to produce an entire edition independently.
The Debate on AI in Journalism
AI’s ability to generate content efficiently raises concerns and opportunities. Supporters argue that AI can help journalists by handling routine reports, freeing them to focus on investigative work. Critics worry that AI-generated news lacks human insight and the ability to conduct real interviews.
Traditional journalism relies on human connections, deep research, and firsthand reporting. AI lacks these qualities, which is why Il Foglio‘s experiment is significant. It shows AI’s strengths but also its weaknesses, such as the inability to verify facts with real sources.
A Sign of the Future?
As AI tech advances, its role in journalism will likely expand. Some news organizations are already using AI to generate headlines, edit content, and create summaries. The challenge is ensuring accuracy, credibility, and ethical reporting standards.
Il Foglio‘s experiment is just one example of how AI is reshaping industries. Whether this trend continues depends on how well AI integrates with human journalism. For now, AI is a tool—not a replacement for journalists.