The Italian daily Il Foglio has become the first newspaper in the world to publish an edition entirely created using artificial intelligence (AI). The special issue, titled Il Foglio AI, is part of a month-long experiment exploring how AI is transforming journalism.
AI Takes Over the Newsroom
Editor Claudio Cerasa described the initiative as a way to assess AI’s impact on journalism, work, and daily life. The four-page edition was fully generated using AI, from headlines and articles to quotes, summaries, and even satirical content.
“It will be the first daily newspaper in the world on newsstands created entirely using artificial intelligence,” said Cerasa. “For everything. For the writing, the headlines, the quotes, the summaries. And, sometimes, even for the irony.”
Journalists’ involvement was limited to inputting questions into an AI tool and reviewing its responses.
AI’s Role in Journalism
The experiment comes as news organizations worldwide explore the use of AI. Earlier this month, the BBC announced it would integrate AI to deliver more personalized news content. The rise of AI in journalism raises questions about accuracy, credibility, and journalistic ethics.
Highlights from Il Foglio AI
- Trump and Italy: The front page covers the “paradox of Italian Trumpians,” examining how they criticize cancel culture while supporting policies they previously condemned.
- Putin’s “10 Betrayals”: An article listing two decades of broken promises and failed agreements by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Italy’s Economy: A report citing Istat data on income redistribution, indicating positive effects from tax reforms and rising salaries for 750,000 workers.
- Relationships in Europe: A feature on the growing trend of situationships, where young Europeans avoid long-term commitments.
No Human Voices in AI Journalism?
While the AI-generated articles were well-structured and free of grammatical errors, none included direct quotes from real people. The final page even featured AI-generated letters to the editor, including one questioning whether AI will render humans obsolete. The AI’s response humorously noted:
“AI is a great innovation, but it doesn’t yet know how to order a coffee without getting the sugar wrong.”
Testing AI’s Impact on Journalism
Cerasa emphasized that Il Foglio AI reflects a real newspaper, containing news, debate, and provocation. However, he noted that it serves as a testing ground to explore how AI can be integrated into journalism while raising ethical concerns about AI-generated content.
“It is just another Il Foglio made with intelligence—don’t call it artificial,” he concluded.
