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MediaMorph Edition 78 - by HANA News
10 Rules for Media AI Ventures
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The written-by-a-human bit
Last week, I argued that AI needed to move away from the efficiency bucket and into the new revenue bucket. AI venturing is now a thing. Most clients are sitting on a ton of ideas; the challenge is to triage the ideas into testable prototypes - but where to place your bets?
My favourite interview question for candidates is a hypothetical — “I am about to write you a $500k cheque for seed funding your startup idea - what is your idea?” So, as a thought experiment, imagine your CFO has just ringfenced $500k for you and your team to prototype an AI venture - a new AI-powered product or tool for you to sell to your clients and subscribers.
So how do you select the best idea to take forward? Here are my ten rules for testing your hypothesis
Clearly identify the problem you are solving - with AI, boring is beautiful. What repetitive tasks can you help your subscribers with? How can you make them smarter? How do you get highly relevant information to them faster?
Play to your data strengths - i.e. content, archives, user metrics, product tests, opinion surveys, market data, knowledge graphs.
Build for where AI models will be in two years, not where they are now. Chances are, the next model release will blow most of today’s ideas out of the water.
Align with your internal AI policy framework - will this idea get past legal/compliance? How do you mitigate against hallucinations? Human-in-the-loop?
AI is not SaaS - it needs time to train, and the revenue model is very different as it needs to account for inference charges against usage.
Build a moat - go deep with a vertical, not broad. Use proprietary data. Lean on and align with your brand values. Build habit. Use feedback loops. Build in personalisation.
UI is as crucial as AI.
Identify success metrics - revenue, engagement, subscriber retention, and new subscribers. Plot impact against effort.
Build/buy/borrow? - most solutions already exist, de-risk by outsourcing or buying off the shelf. Maximise the chances of a pilot making it into production.
Reputation — AI is extremely powerful and disruptive. What is your tolerance for AI’s impact on other companies and careers?
What will you build?
Do you know your metaphor from your analogy?
Journalists beware!
I recently put all my past 87 MediaMorph newsletters into a NotebookLM as an experiment to see how I could interrogate the content. I asked it (or effectively, I asked myself) if we are in an AI bubble. The answer was consistent with my arguments, but what struck me was that Gemini now gives an analogy to each answer, in this case:
Analogy: The AI movement is currently like a highly leveraged skyscraper construction project. The investments (the concrete and steel) are immense and scary, leading many to fear it's a bubble destined to crash. But if the building is designed only to be a slightly more efficient parking garage (the "efficiency bucket"), the financial collapse is inevitable. If, however, the structure is designed to be a thriving, revenue-generating complex with stores, offices, and apartments (the "new product bucket"), the high construction costs can be justified by the future prosperity and new economic activity it enables.
Not bad, but not great either. Maybe hints of Gemini 3, which is rumoured to be released today.
At the risk of being anthropomorphic, there is something very human about deploying analogies and metaphors. A well-executed metaphor elevates good writing to great writing. If Gemini 3 has mastered the analogy, how long until it masters the metaphor? There is something uncanny and unsettling about this. But let’s not beat about the metaphorical AI bush.
Mark Riley, CEO Mathison AI
Hi
AI will be a substantial competitive advantage for those who master it. But most are still struggling with adoption because rolling out a chatbot or copilot isn’t enough to get people using it.
At Mathison AI, we are helping CEOs like you rapidly discover and prototype high-impact AI use cases tailored to your business.
We’re currently working with global and local enterprises to identify areas where AI can drive real operational value — from automation and cost savings to entirely new product ideas.
If you’re exploring AI and want a clear, low-risk way to get started, I’d love to share how we approach it through fast education sessions and hands-on prototyping.
AI and Journalism
SUJ: EFJ workshop discusses future of journalism and workers’ rights in the age of AI European Federation of Journalists - November 14, 2025 The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) held a workshop in Copenhagen addressing the impact of AI on journalism, emphasizing training, mental health, and the need for clear ethical guidelines. Key discussions highlighted the importance of protecting authors' rights and integrating AI in ways that enhance journalistic integrity, supporting a robust media landscape in Europe. |
AI and “editorial independence”: a risk — or a distraction? Online Journalism Blog - November 14, 2025 The text argues that viewing AI as a biased actor distracts from the deeper biases inherent in journalism itself, emphasising that editorial independence relies on how journalists manage AI rather than fearing it. By recognising AI as a tool shaped by human input, journalists can enhance their objectivity and challenge their own biases through thoughtful utilisation of technology. |
Journalism's Conversion: Reporters Will Need AI Technical Skills Plus Traditional Values 11 A recent study by Trint underscores the need for journalists to become AI-literate, highlighting essential skills like digital verification and data analysis while facing barriers such as lack of time and training resources. Despite challenges, 52% of newsrooms acknowledge that AI literacy will be vital in the coming years, with current applications ranging from transcription to content creation assistance. |
Media Experts Call for Integrity in AI Adoption Journalism, Advertising, PR Businessday NG - November 14, 2025 Media and marketing professionals are advocating for stronger ethical guidelines as AI transforms their industries, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with integrity. Experts warn that while AI enhances efficiency, it also raises significant concerns about trust and authenticity, particularly in journalism where human-centered values must prevail. |
The gap between AI hype and newsroom reality MediaCopilot Substack - AI is transforming the media landscape, yet its role in journalism remains controversial due to concerns about accuracy and ethics. While it can aid in data analysis and fact-checking, the integration of AI in producing original content is still limited, prompting ongoing discussions about maintaining journalistic integrity amidst technological advancements. |
Editorial: Artificial intelligence in journalism Illinois State University recently hosted AI expert Kevin, who explored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on various aspects of society, including education and healthcare. The event emphasized the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and ethical considerations, encouraging participants to engage critically and responsibly with these emerging technologies. |
News consumers cautious and unsure about AI use in news Editor and Publisher - November 17, 2025 A recent study funded by the Walton Family Foundation reveals that while local news consumers are generally open to using artificial intelligence in journalism for routine tasks, they overwhelmingly prefer human oversight in the process, with 98.8% stressing the need for human involvement before content publication. This highlights a clear demand for a balanced approach to AI-assisted reporting in local media. |
AI powered Digital Democracy platform wins Emmy Mustang News - November 12, 2025 Cal Poly's Emmy-winning AI journalism platform, Digital Democracy, empowers journalists by transcribing legislative meetings and analyzing government actions to enhance transparency and accountability. Developed by students and faculty, it exemplifies the fusion of technology and public service, fostering innovative local reporting. |
How can AI help preserve independent journalism in countries with hostile regimes? The Fix - November 17, 2025 The news media industry is facing significant challenges due to a major shift in advertising revenue, prompting publications to adapt through innovative, data-driven strategies. Emphasizing audience engagement and diversifying revenue streams will be essential for their survival in this rapidly evolving landscape. |
AI Journalism Diploma Coming to Kamal Adham Center at AUC The Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism is set to launch an AI Journalism Diploma in April 2026, designed to empower journalists across the Arab world with essential skills in artificial intelligence. Directed by Hussein Amin, this six-month program will cover AI applications in journalism, including ethics and efficiency, and is open for bilingual applicants starting November 2025. |
Knight Center Relaunches as Center for Journalism Futures Under New Leadership Newmark J-School - November 12, 2025 The Tow-Knight Center for Journalism Futures at CUNY, led by Executive Director Gina Chua, is set to explore the transformative impact of generative AI on journalism, focusing on personalized news consumption and innovative business models. This initiative aims to equip journalists with the tools needed to navigate a rapidly evolving information landscape shaped by technology and data analytics. |
Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays
Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.
Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.
AI and Academic Publishing
Interactive Research Tools Papers with Graph is a cutting-edge AI-assisted research tool that transforms academic papers into interactive visual experiences, making complex data more accessible and easier to understand. By streamlining literature discovery, it empowers researchers and students to engage deeply with their material, fostering a more informed research community. |
How libraries and publishers are shaping the future of AI in research A recent report from Springer Nature highlights the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in scholarly communication, revealing that over half of researchers have utilized AI tools for their work, with a strong intention to continue. The report underscores the necessity for collaboration between libraries and publishers to ensure responsible AI implementation while enhancing research efficiency, ethical practices, and accessibility in knowledge dissemination. |
Editage expands into Germany, Europe’s research powerhouse, to empower researchers with expertise, precision, and integrity Editage, a leading brand of Cactus Communications, is expanding into Germany, aiming to enhance the quality and visibility of scholarly work for researchers. With over two decades of experience and a suite of services, Editage aligns its values of legacy, precision, and trust with Germany's academic culture to support the global research community. |
Hidden AI Whispers: How Researchers Are Gaming Peer Review with Secret Prompts WebProNews - November 14, 2025 A troubling trend has emerged in academic publishing, where researchers are embedding hidden AI prompts in their papers to manipulate peer reviews for positive feedback, raising significant concerns about research integrity. This manipulation has been found in preprints from 14 universities across eight countries, prompting discussions on stricter guidelines and the need for enhanced detection methods to protect the credibility of scholarly work. |
When Machines Write Science: Navigating the Ethical Minefield of AI in Research Colombia One: News from Colombia and the World - November 12, 2025 Recent incidents involving AI-generated content in academic research raise significant ethical concerns about scientific integrity, highlighting the need for transparency and oversight in AI use. As researchers increasingly rely on AI tools, it's crucial to maintain human accountability and critically evaluate AI's contributions to ensure responsible and equitable practices in the research community. |
Wiley Convenes Experts to Discuss How Stronger Science Communications, Academic Societies Can Strengthen Public Trust Wiley has launched a new season of "The Conversations," its expert roundtable series that brings together thought leaders to discuss pressing topics and share innovative insights. This initiative offers audiences a platform for diverse perspectives, enhancing their understanding of complex issues in various fields. |
Weekend reads: Debunking ‘When Prophecy Fails’; ‘Godfather of AI’ first to reach 1 million citations; ‘Cake causes herpes?’ Retraction Watch - November 15, 2025 This week at Retraction Watch, we highlighted a range of issues in scientific publishing, from an author circumventing bans to publish multiple papers, to concerns about citation inflation and ethical breaches. Notably, the BMJ issued an expression of concern over a controversial stem cell study, while discussions continue around the integrity of AI in peer review and the representation of women among retracted paper authors. |
Stylometric comparisons of human versus AI-generated creative writing Nature - November 11, 2025 A recent study utilizing Burrows’ Delta in stylometric analysis uncovers distinct stylistic differences between human-written and AI-generated texts, revealing that while large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 exhibit improved coherence, they lack the creative depth and variability inherent to human authorship. This research highlights the ongoing debate about the authenticity and impact of AI-generated literature in a rapidly evolving literary landscape. |
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