Los Angeles Times Unveils Controversial AI Tool for Political Story Analysis
Los Angeles Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is facing criticism from the paper’s staff following the introduction of an AI-powered feature, ‘L.A. Times Insights,’ designed to analyze stories based on their political viewpoints. The feature, announced in a Monday letter to readers, joins a series of editorial changes and has already generated debate among the newspaper’s employees.
The ‘Insights’ tool classifies a piece’s tone within the political spectrum, providing summaries of its stance and linking to alternative viewpoints. As demonstrated on the paper’s website, one opinion piece calling for disclosure of AI use in documentaries was labeled “center left,” while another criticizing the Tate brothers was deemed “right.” The system also offers links to opposing articles or blog entries to provide a range of perspectives.
“The purpose of Insights is to offer readers an instantly accessible way to see a wide range of different AI-enabled perspectives alongside the positions presented in the article,” wrote Soon-Shiong in his letter. “I believe providing more varied viewpoints supports our journalistic mission and will help readers navigate the issues facing this nation.”
The new feature will be applied to select articles described as written “from a point of view,” which will now be categorized under the “Voices” label. Soon-Shiong states this is intended to distinguish opinion pieces from news reporting.
In response, L.A. Times Guild vice chair Matt Hamilton expressed support for initiatives aimed at enhancing reader understanding of opinion versus news. However, he added, “we don’t think this approach — AI-generated analysis unvetted by editorial staff — will do much to enhance trust in the media. Quite the contrary, this tool risks further eroding confidence in the news. And the money for this endeavor could have been directed elsewhere: supporting our journalists on the ground who have had no cost-of-living increase since 2021.”
Soon-Shiong’s letter acknowledged the possibility of errors generated by the AI feature, noting that the technology is “experimental, evolving.” He requested that readers report any errors on the Insights page.
This initiative follows a pattern of tension between Soon-Shiong, who acquired the Times in 2018, and the paper’s staff. Conflicts escalated after Soon-Shiong decided against endorsing any candidate in the 2024 presidential election, leading to the resignation of several editorial board members. Soon-Shiong has since expressed intentions to reshape the paper, including an appearance on Fox News where he stated his goal of sharing “the views of all” and proposed the addition of conservative commentator Scott Jennings – who now contributes to the paper – to the editorial board.
Simultaneously, a recent buyout offer has led to reductions in the Times’ staff. Most recently, editorial writer Carla Hall accepted the offer, marking her departure as the final member of the editorial board.
