- BuzzFeed is reportedly set to use ChatGPT creator OpenAI's technology in content creation.
- BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti told staff it would use tech to boost its quizzes and personalize some other content, per the WSJ.
BuzzFeed is reportedly set to use tech from OpenAI, the creator of the viral AI chatbot ChatGPT, to help create some content — which sent the media outlet's stock surging 200% on Thursday.
"In 2023, you'll see AI inspired content move from an R&D stage to part of our core business, enhancing the quiz experience, informing our brainstorming, and personalizing our content for our audience," CEO Jonah Peretti wrote in the staff memo, which was seen by Insider.
According to an example of AI usage BuzzFeed sent to Insider, BuzzFeed can write a romcom about you in 30 seconds after you specify an "endearing flaw" you have and choose a preset "trope," such as a love triangle. It would then be able to generate a story based on the input.
A BuzzFeed spokesperson clarified to Insider the outlet will be not be using the wildly popular ChatGPT platform, but OpenAI's publicly available API.
BuzzFeed — which won it's first Pulitzer prize in 2021 for a series of articles exposing China's vast infrastructure for detaining Muslims in the Xinjiang region — is popularly known for its quizzes and listicles, so we can reasonably expect the use of AI technology in the latter section as well.
We put ChatGPT to the test by asking the platform to write a listicle based on "10 things that are better in other countries compared to the US" in BuzzFeed style. BuzzFeed's Evie Carrick wrote a similar article back in October 2022. While BuzzFeed's story was focused on everyday experiences, the article generated by ChatGPT also took into account the overall social and cultural environments in various countries.
ChatGPT's response was nuanced. It qualified the report with a measured statement about how it isn't fair to generalize, as all countries have "different strengths and weaknesses," but it was still able to come up with a list of what's "commonly perceived" as better in other countries compared to the US.
Here's what ChatGPT came up with:
It's worth noting that different countries have different strengths and weaknesses, and it's not fair to make generalizations about a whole country, but as a listicle, here are some things that are commonly perceived to be better in other countries compared to the US.
Public Transportation: Cities in countries like Japan, Germany, and France have incredibly efficient and reliable public transportation systems, making it easy and affordable to get around.
Healthcare: Many countries, including Canada and most European countries, have universal healthcare systems that provide better coverage and lower costs for citizens.
Paid Parental Leave: Countries like Sweden and Canada offer generous paid parental leave policies, allowing new parents to take time off work without fear of financial strain.
Work-Life Balance: In countries like France, the concept of a 35-hour workweek is not only accepted but encouraged, leading to a better work-life balance for citizens.
Recycling and Environmental Sustainability: Many countries, including Germany and Switzerland, have implemented successful recycling programs and have a stronger focus on environmental sustainability.
Free College Education: Countries like Germany, Norway and some states in the US offer free college education to its citizens.
Food and Cuisine: Many countries, including Italy, Spain and Japan, are known for their delicious and diverse cuisines, which often feature fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Vacation Time: In countries like France, the legal minimum number of vacation days is 30, which allows citizens to have more time to travel and relax.
Gender Equality: Countries like Iceland, Norway and Finland are consistently ranked as some of the most gender-equal countries in the world.
Housing: In some countries like Germany, rental prices tend to be more affordable and stable, making it easier for citizens to find and afford housing.