Bild, a German tabloid company, has denied reports that it is laying off parts of its editorial team and replacing them with artificial intelligence (AI) and automated processes.
The reports, which surfaced on June 21, suggested that Bild’s parent publishing firm, Axel Springer SE, planned to replace various editorial positions with AI based on an internal email. However, Bild Group’s director of communications, Christian Senft, stated that these reports are false and clarified that the restructuring program mentioned in the announcement pertains to regional newspaper editions.
The restructuring program involves reducing the number of regional editions from 18 to 12 by the end of the year and closing 10 out of 15 regional offices, with many functions being centralized in Berlin.
Senft emphasized that the job reductions are unrelated to AI and instead reflect the elimination of tasks such as secretariats and photo production in the regions. He confirmed that the moves would affect employees in the low three-digit number. While Bild acknowledged the use of AI to support journalistic work, Senft highlighted that the company has no intention of replacing journalism with AI.
Bild is a daily tabloid founded in 1952, and its circulation has undergone changes over the years. The development of AI has raised concerns about potential job losses in various industries. In May, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna mentioned that AI and automation could replace around 30% of the company’s workforce, amounting to 7,800 jobs, over the next five years.
A report by McKinsey & Co. in June also predicted that generative AI could fully automate up to 50% of work activity conducted in workplaces today, including decision-making, management tasks, and stakeholder interactions.
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