The Wall Street Journal is Testing AI for News Summaries

What to know:

The Wall Street Journal has begun experimenting with AI technology to create article summaries.
Readers will find “Key Points” boxes at the top of selected articles containing AI-generated bullet points.
Editors will review all AI-generated summaries before publication to ensure accuracy.

The Wall Street Journal has taken a bold step into the future of digital journalism by testing artificial intelligence to create concise article summaries for its readers. You’ll now spot a “Key Points” box prominently displayed at the top of certain stories, offering quick takeaways from the full article below.

The innovative feature aims to improve your reading experience by providing AI-generated bullet points that capture the essential information from each story. To maintain its high journalistic standards, WSJ editors carefully review each AI-generated summary before it reaches your screen.

They are not alone in experiencing this AI-driven transformation of news consumption. Other major news outlets, including USA Today, have also begun exploring similar AI summarization tools. However, these organizations encourage you to read the complete articles, acknowledging that AI summaries, while convenient, may occasionally miss nuanced details.

The Verge noticed the test in a story about Trump’s plans for the Department of Education, and as per them, the Journal confirmed it is testing the feature to gauge reader reactions. The box also links to a page explaining how the WSJ and Dow Jones Newswires utilize AI tools. You’ll notice a transparent approach, as the publication includes a clear note explaining the AI’s role in creating these summaries.

A screenshot of the “Key Points” AI-generated summary on a Wall Street Journal article.

This testing phase will help determine how you and other readers engage with AI-enhanced content, potentially shaping the future of digital news presentation. The initiative represents a careful balance between technological innovation and maintaining the trusted journalism you’ve come to expect from the Wall Street Journal.