Editorial illustration for AI Sneaks Into News: 10% of U.S. Newspaper Articles Now Partly Machine-Written
AI Secretly Writing 10% of US Newspaper Articles
Study finds 1 in 10 U.S. newspaper pieces partly AI-written, often undisclosed
The newsroom is changing, and artificial intelligence is quietly rewriting the rules. A new study reveals a startling trend: roughly 10% of U.S. newspaper articles now include machine-generated content, often without clear disclosure to readers.
This digital infiltration isn't just a tech curiosity. It's transforming how news gets produced, challenging traditional journalism's boundaries in real-time.
The research uncovers a complex landscape where AI simultaneously disrupts and integrates into media workflows. Newspapers are using algorithmic writing tools while paradoxically fighting against the same technology that's reshaping their industry.
What happens when the very institutions meant to report on technological change become participants in that transformation? The emerging picture is nuanced, and potentially unsettling for anyone who cares about transparency in media.
Beneath the surface of these AI-assisted articles lies a deeper story about technological adaptation, ethical boundaries, and the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age.
The study points out that several major media groups are suing AI companies for scraping their articles to train language models, even as those newsrooms quietly publish AI-generated stories themselves. The surge in AI-generated content is particularly notable in opinion sections of national newspapers. An analysis of 45,000 op-eds and commentaries from The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal between 2022 and 2025 shows a 25-fold increase in AI use--from just 0.1 percent to 3.4 percent. Opinion pages are now 6.4 times more likely to feature AI-written content than regular news stories at these publications.
The AI infiltration of newsrooms reveals a complex, ironic landscape. Media companies are simultaneously fighting AI companies in court while quietly integrating machine-generated content into their publications.
The data suggests a rapid transformation in journalism. Opinion sections seem especially vulnerable to AI's creeping influence, with a staggering 25-fold increase in machine-written content between 2022 and 2025.
This trend exposes a profound industry contradiction. Newspapers are legally challenging AI companies for training on their content, yet they're now publishing AI-generated articles themselves. The ethical implications are significant.
With 10% of newspaper articles now partly machine-written, readers might not realize how much of their news is algorithmically produced. The opacity around AI's role in journalism raises critical questions about transparency and authenticity.
For now, the AI revolution in media seems less about replacement and more about quiet integration. Newsrooms are adapting, blending human expertise with machine efficiency, whether audiences know it or not.
Further Reading
- Six Important Journalism Trends to Watch in 2026 - Teak Media + Communication
- Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2026 - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
- How will AI reshape the news in 2026? Forecasts by 17 experts around world - Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
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Common Questions Answered
What percentage of U.S. newspaper articles now include machine-generated content?
According to the study, approximately 10% of U.S. newspaper articles now include AI-generated content. This significant trend represents a major shift in how news is being produced and distributed across media platforms.
How are media companies responding to AI's use in newsrooms?
Media companies are taking a paradoxical approach, simultaneously suing AI companies for scraping their articles while also quietly integrating machine-generated content into their own publications. The research reveals an ironic landscape where news organizations are both fighting and embracing AI technology.
In which section of newspapers has AI-generated content seen the most dramatic increase?
Opinion sections have experienced the most significant surge in AI-generated content, with a staggering 25-fold increase between 2022 and 2025. The analysis of 45,000 op-eds and commentaries from major newspapers like The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal highlights this dramatic transformation.