History has shown us that technological revolutions bring both unprecedented opportunities and profound disruptions. At Open Mind, this understanding shapes our approach to StoryGo, our AI-powered journalism tool that’s helping newsrooms thrive in an era where many predict the death of traditional media. By augmenting rather than replacing journalists, StoryGo exemplifies our mission: to ensure AI serves as a tool for enhancement rather than replacement and to make it a force for good in a rapidly evolving world.
“May you live in exciting times,” goes the curse often (though dubiously) attributed to ancient Chinese literature. Indeed, we are living through such times, where the calm seas of the 1990s have given way to a whirlwind of change. The rise of social media disrupted traditional journalism, and now artificial intelligence presents an even greater inflection point. While some herald AI as the final nail in journalism’s coffin, our growing network of StoryGo-powered newsrooms proves a different future is possible – one where technology amplifies rather than diminishes the irreplaceable human elements of storytelling. This vision, however, requires us to carefully examine the lessons of past technological revolutions.
When it comes to the future of living with AI, people tend to fall into two main categories: the eternal technology optimists, who are giddy with anticipation and unfazed by potential negative impacts, and the doomsayers, who take a deeply gloomy outlook on the whole development. We at OpenMind subscribe to neither category, because history teaches us a more nuanced lesson.
While technological progress ultimately improves society – few would argue for a return to feudal times or Victorian working conditions. However, it is not a given that you will reap the benefits within your lifetime. The path to improvement is usually a rocky one.
This pattern of creative destruction, where progress creates winners and losers, continues today. But unlike the industrial revolution, where displaced workers could eventually find new roles in factories, AI’s impact on knowledge work – including journalism – presents unique challenges. This is why at OpenMind, we focus on helping journalists adapt and thrive rather than become modern-day Luddites.
In more recent history, the invention of nuclear weapons stands as an example of technological disruption. The destructive power of the atom is something we are still coming to grips with 80 years later. Interestingly, the anti-proliferation agreement is one of those rare examples of successfully halting the spread of a potent new technology. It remains to be seen whether this success will hold or whether the tech optimists are right in claiming that such restrictions are ultimately unsustainable. Anti-proliferation is largely a self-imposed restriction; many nations have the capability to create nuclear weapons but willingly adhere to the agreement. While we are not advocating for any equivalent ban on AI, this example demonstrates how industries can come together to establish guidelines for responsible innovation – something we’re already seeing in journalism, where leading newsrooms are developing ethical frameworks for AI integration.
Returning to our stance on technology and AI specifically our optimism and pessimism depend largely on ourselves. The emergence of AI represents a “nuclear moment” that dwarfs the invention of the power loom in its significance. Will we be able to avoid the workforce displacement and social upheaval that accompanied previous technological revolutions?
Part of this will depend on people’s adaptability. For journalists, this means embracing AI to achieve what was previously impossible: condensing vast amounts of information and uncovering underlying truths that often get lost in today’s echo chambers of political commentary. While some fear that AI could render journalists unemployable – much like the hand-loom weavers of 19th-century England – StoryGo points to a different path forward. The key question for those of us who create AI tools is: are we building tools that enhance skills and create new opportunities, or are we inadvertently partaking in creative destruction? At OpenMind, our misson is clear – we’re strengthening the foundations of editorial journalism by empowering the professionals who maintain it.
At OpenMind, we are committed to being positive contributors during the transition to a world where AI technology plays an increasingly important role. Our ambition is augmentation, not replacement. This approach is especially critical in our market: editorial journalism. AI-automated news is one of the more hotly debated of these potential dystopias, which is why we have taken great care to ensure our technology remains human-centered. Unlike the disruptive technologies of the past – from power looms to early automation – we’re proving that AI can enhance rather than displace skilled professionals.
While not all journalists live up to editorial ideals, we firmly believe that good, human journalists are more essential than ever. For this reason, we will never create a fully automated AI tool, as doing so would undermine the potential for journalists to thrive. On the contrary, our tool, StoryGo has not cost a single journalist their job. In fact, our customer newsrooms are experiencing growth in an industry that is otherwise in decline. We hope and believe that this trend will continue.
Our vision extends beyond mere survival in a turbulent media landscape. StoryGo empowers journalists to delve deeper, uncover more significant truths, and maintain the highest editorial standards while meeting modern demands for timely, comprehensive coverage. By enhancing human expertise, we’re helping preserve and strengthen journalism’s irreplaceable function as society’s watchdog and purveyor of truth. This is how we ensure that this technological revolution enhances rather than diminishes the foundational institutions that our democracy depends upon.
Visualizing Press and Processors through Flux 1.0 Realism: Workers at industrial power looms in a Victorian factory. In the foreground, a modern journalist in business casual attire illuminated by the blue glow of a laptop. Cinematic photorealism with vintage photography elements.