G/O Media AI Content Test Sparks Staff Outrage and Union Condemnation

Compiled by the editorial desk with reference to official statements, public filings, and industry reports.

G/O Media, the digital publishing group behind Gizmodo, Kotaku, Quartz, Jezebel, and Deadspin, has informed its newsrooms of an upcoming trial involving AI-written articles, a decision that has provoked immediate and vocal opposition from staff and labor representatives.

The announcement, made via an internal email from editorial director Merrill Brown, describes the initiative as a “modest test” that will initially produce “a handful of stories” centered on listicles and data-driven pieces. Brown stressed that these features would not replace current writing or editing duties, and expressed hope that, if successful, AI-generated content could eventually help expand the company’s audience through search and promotion.

However, the reaction from the newsroom was swift and critical. Unions representing G/O Media and The Onion issued a joint statement saying they were “appalled” by the news, arguing that AI programs are unreliable and prone to fabrication and plagiarism, and that they cannot substitute for the work of human journalists. The statement also pointed to a recent round of layoffs that affected more than a dozen employees, including union members, just days before the AI announcement.

Individual staffers took to social media to voice their frustration. Gizmodo journalist Lin Codega wrote that AI content would not replace her work but would devalue it, burden editors, and erode audience trust. Kotaku writer Zack Zwiezen called the decision “sucks” and urged followers to pressure the company. Former Gizmodo staffer Ashley Feinberg predicted a “nightmare” scenario. Kotaku’s Kenneth Shepard lamented the encroachment of AI on real journalism, while former Kotaku writer Ash Parrish, now at The Verge, questioned how anyone could have hope in media when companies treat employees as disposable.

Context of Industry AI Experiments

G/O Media is not alone in exploring AI-generated journalism. Red Ventures, which owns CNET and Bankrate, and Men’s Journal, along with BuzzFeed, have all tested similar approaches. These efforts have often led to published errors, plagiarism accusations, and in some cases, subsequent layoffs. CNET and BuzzFeed both experienced staff reductions following their AI initiatives, raising concerns about the technology’s impact on employment and editorial quality.

Despite these cautionary examples, G/O Media’s leadership appears committed to the experiment. Merrill Brown’s email framed the move as a natural response to industry-wide discussions about AI, suggesting that the company is merely keeping pace with broader trends.

Staff and Union Pushback

The unions’ statement highlighted a pattern of disinvestment in newsrooms, increased workloads, and staff attrition, which they argue has weakened the outlets’ ability to produce quality journalism. They also criticized the timing of the AI announcement, coming so soon after layoffs, as a sign of misplaced priorities.

G/O Media’s track record under CEO Jim Spanfeller has been contentious, with past controversies including poorly received buyouts, ongoing layoffs, and high-profile resignations. Staff have historically been outspoken in defending editorial independence, and this latest move appears to have reignited that resistance.

As the trial proceeds, the industry will be watching to see whether G/O Media’s experiment yields the audience growth it hopes for, or whether it becomes another cautionary tale about the pitfalls of AI in newsrooms. Given the strong reaction from staff, further developments are likely.