VOA科学技术2024--US Reporter Used AI to Create False Quotes for Stories

An American newspaper reporter has resigned from his job after it was discovered that he used an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to create false quotes for stories.

Aaron Pelczar worked for the Cody Enterprise, a newspaper based in the town of Cody, Wyoming. A reporter from a competing newspaper became suspicious about Pelczar's stories and asked to meet with him. Pelczar admitted to using AI to create parts of stories. He later quit his position with the Enterprise.

The reporter who discovered the AI-assisted stories was CJ Baker¹. He works for the Powell Tribune, a newspaper in the neighboring town of Powell.

Baker told The Associated Press he discovered several writing examples that made him suspicious about Pelczar's work. He said some of the writing sounded unnatural² or robotic. But one part of a story stood out as possibly being false. It was contained in a June 26 article about comedian³ Larry the Cable Guy being chosen to lead a local parade.

The story ended with a very unusual line that had nothing to do with the story's subject. Rather, it seemed to provide an explanation of the method it used to build the story. The line read, "This structure ensures that the most critical information is presented first, making it easier for readers to grasp the main points quickly."

Baker, who has been a reporter for more than 15 years, said after reading the story he decided⁴ to do additional research on other pieces written by Pelczar. He later decided to set up a meeting with Pelczar to discuss his concerns. He was able to meet with Pelczar and the editor of the Enterprise, Chris Bacon.

Baker wrote an article in his own newspaper about his findings. He described his meeting with Pelczar and Bacon as uncomfortable, but friendly. Baker wrote that when asked about suspicions surrounding his work, Pelczar answered, "Obviously I've never intentionally⁶ tried to misquote anybody."

When asked whether any of the disputed statements in his writings had been by created by an AI tool, Pelczar said, "That could be the case." Baker said Pelczar then added, "But again, if there are issues I will correct them and issue apologies and say they are misstatements."

After closely examining Pelczar's articles, Bacon and the publisher of the Enterprise discovered the use of AI and apologized for his actions. In an editorial published recently, Enterprise Editor Chris Bacon admitted he had "failed to catch" the AI-written copy and false quotes. He added that the mistake had permitted AI "to put words that were never spoken into stories."

Bacon said the Enterprise discovered at least seven stories that included AI-created quotes. Two of the questioned stories included false quotes from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

Bacon said some of the quotes appeared "very believable." He noted⁸ that the people he spoke⁷ with during his investigation⁹ said the quotes sounded like something they might have said. But they never personally spoke to Pelczar.

Other reporters have had their careers hurt or ended for making up facts or quotes in articles. There are also others who have been accused of plagiarism¹⁰, which involves a reporter publishing the writings of others without giving those reporters credit for the material.

But media experts say the recent incident involving Pelczar demonstrates the possible dangers that exist when reporters and editors depend on AI tools in the news production process.

Megan Barton is publisher of the Cody Enterprise. She wrote an editorial that described AI as "the new, advanced form of plagiarism and in the field of media and writing."

Barton noted the newspaper now has a system in place to recognize AI-generated stories and will "have longer conversations about how AI-generated stories are not acceptable."

Words in This Story

quote - n. a written statement of what someone has said

article - n. a piece of writing other than fiction or poetry that forms an independent part of a publication (as a magazine)

grasp - v. to understand something

editor - n. someone who revises and prepares stories or the person who is in charge of a newspaper or other news operation

obvious - adj. easy to see or understand

intentional⁵ - adj. something done on purpose

editorial - n. a piece of writing that expresses opinions

plagiarism - n. copying someone else's work or ideas

advanced - adj. having developed or progressed to a late stage

conversation - n. a discussion between two or more people

1 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

2 unnatural   

adj.不自然的；反常的

参考例句：

• Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗？
• She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。

3 comedian   

n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员

参考例句：

• The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
• The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 intentional   

adj.故意的，有意（识）的

参考例句：

• Let me assure you that it was not intentional.我向你保证那不是故意的。
• His insult was intentional.他的侮辱是有意的。

6 intentionally   

ad.故意地，有意地

参考例句：

• I didn't say it intentionally. 我是无心说的。
• The local authority ruled that he had made himself intentionally homeless and was therefore not entitled to be rehoused. 当地政府裁定他是有意居无定所，因此没有资格再获得提供住房。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

10 plagiarism   

n.剽窃，抄袭

参考例句：

• Teachers in America fight to control cheating and plagiarism.美国老师们努力对付欺骗和剽窃的问题。
• Now he's in real trouble.He's accused of plagiarism.现在他是真遇到麻烦了。他被指控剽窃。