WASHINGTON AND LONDON — In an era where the news industry is increasingly reliant on technology, recent reports have raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in producing news. This has led to calls for more scrutiny and transparency in the operations of popular news aggregation app, NewsBreak.
According to Reuters, at least 40 instances have been identified where NewsBreak’s use of AI tools has resulted in erroneous stories. These revelations have sparked a call for a more holistic approach to address the potential threat posed by such technology, in light of NewsBreak’s Chinese origins and its ties to the Chinese government.
Senator Mark Warner, who chairs the Intelligence Committee, expressed his concerns, saying, “The only thing more terrifying than a company that deals in unchecked, artificially generated news, is one with deep ties to an adversarial foreign government.” This sentiment was echoed by other lawmakers, who raised questions about NewsBreak’s historical links to Chinese investors and its operations in China, where many of its engineers are based.
In response to these concerns, NewsBreak has maintained that it is an American company and has always been. However, Reuters’ investigation has revealed that the app was launched in the U.S. in 2015 as a subsidiary of Yidian, a Chinese news aggregation app founded by Jeff Zheng, the CEO of NewsBreak.
Moreover, both companies share a U.S. patent registered in 2015 for an “Interest Engine” algorithm that recommends news content based on a user’s interests and location. Yidian has also received praise from the ruling Communist Party officials in China for its efficiency in disseminating government propaganda.
While there is no evidence that NewsBreak censors or produces news favorable to the Chinese government, this report has raised concerns among lawmakers about the company’s potential to be influenced by its Chinese origins.
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House select committee on China, stated, “This report brings to light serious questions about NewsBreak, its historical relationship with an entity that assisted the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), and to Chinese state-linked media.” He emphasized the need for transparency, particularly regarding the use of “opaque algorithms” and AI tools to produce news.
In light of these revelations, U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican, has called for increased scrutiny of NewsBreak, stating, “We cannot allow our foreign adversaries access to American citizen’s data to weaponize them against America’s interests.” This call is in reference to NewsBreak’s primary backers, private equity firms Francisco Partners and IDG Capital, the latter of which was recently added to a list of Chinese companies allegedly working with Beijing’s military.
IDG Capital has previously denied any association with the Chinese military and declined to comment on the lawmakers’ statements. Francisco Partners, which has previously refused to answer questions about their investment in NewsBreak, dismissed Reuters’ report as “false and misleading” but did not provide any further details.
It is concerning that NewsBreak’s primary backers, who hold a significant stake in the company, have not been forthcoming with information. This lack of transparency only adds to the need for further scrutiny.
As an American company, NewsBreak has a responsibility to be transparent with its operations and potential ties to foreign governments. The use of AI tools in producing news is a relatively new phenomenon and raises important questions about potential bias and censorship.
In a statement to Reuters, NewsBreak said, “Americans have the right to full transparency about any connections to the CCP from news distributors.” As citizens, we have the right to know who is behind the news we consume and the potential biases that may be present.
In conclusion, the recent reports on NewsBreak’s use of AI tools and its ties to the Chinese government have rightfully raised concerns among lawmakers and the public. As a nation, we must ensure that our news sources are transparent and free from foreign influence. In this era of technology, it is crucial to have a holistic approach to address the potential threats posed by AI in the news industry.
