The Future Press primarily investigates AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard, but we have found more tools that could possibly aid journalists. Some of them, like StyleGuard, help with copy and AP-style writing, while others, like Descript, aid with audio production. Not all of these products specifically improve journalistic writing, but reporters can still use them to make their jobs a little easier.
We recommend these AI tools:
Compatible with Microsoft Office, StyleGuard utilizes a database of over 25,000 AP style rules to seamlessly check your copy in Word. It costs $55.99 for the first year, purchasable through the AP Style website. StyleGuard does a good job of correcting AP Style mistakes without changing too much of the writer’s voice. The downside: StyleGuard isn’t compatible with Google Docs.
Here’s how it works, according to the StyleGuard site: “StyleGuard tracks your changes and suggests fixes as you type. It dynamically validates conformance against the AP Stylebook and suggests fixes when necessary.”
Still in the beta phase, Photoshop’s Generative Fill uses AI to expand the background of a photo in a selected space. Users can access the tool in the Photoshop beta desktop app. Generative Fill also allows users to add and remove objects from an image, or create an image with prompts. This tool can help photojournalists to format an image in specific dimensions in print or online.
Here’s how it works, according to Trusted Reviews: “Generative Fill is powered by Adobe Firefly, Adobe’s new family of generative AI models trained on Adobe Stock imagery, openly licensed work and content from the public domain, making it feel a little less dicey than the images generated by AI models known for scraping the web.”
Otter.ai is a transcription service that will convert audio clips to text. You can record in the app or upload pre-recorded clips. This is helpful for journalists to transcribe their interviews for quotes, or to make scripts for audio stories. There is a free version with 300 transcription minutes (30 minutes per upload), or pay $8.33/month for more features including lengthier transcriptions.
According to Dataconomy, “Otter.ai uses artificial intelligence and natural language processing to generate accurate and searchable transcripts that you can edit, highlight, comment on and export.”
With many professional audio and video tools, Descript can help multimedia journalists with a multitude of projects. One of the most useful features allows users to remove filler words from clips as well as make realistic imitations of their voice to fix an error or include more information in their tape. For a more complete look at Descript’s features, take their product tour. Users can start for free with limited access to key features, pay $12/month for more access or pay $24/month for the most features.
According to a post by Descript: “By shifting from timeline/waveform to script-based editing, Descript makes creation easier for newcomers, faster for professionals, and serves as the foundation for new forms of AI-powered media synthesis that are just beginning to emerge.”
Although people of any profession can use Notion, its organizational and sharing features can specifically help journalists with their work. You can use Notion to storyboard, make article outlines, collaborate on projects and keep sources or other information stored. Now, Notion AI also allows users to summarize their notes, improve writing, fix spelling and grammar, translate text and brainstorm topics to combat writer’s block. You can use Notion for free for limited features or pay up to $15/month for more access. Adding Notion AI is an addition $8/month.
According to Notion, “All AI outputs are limited and AI continues to be an area of rapid research and development. Limitations in AI as a whole can be attributed to many different causes, including but not limited to: narrow inputs, systemic biases, limited quantity of training or test data, or poor quality of training or test data. Notion AI augments, or supplements, your thinking — helping you save time or spend it more wisely. Outputs from Notion AI should not be falsely represented.”