News - LA Times earthquake report beats rivals to 'press' using robot writer

[HEXUS]

The breaking news was published by the LA Times within three minutes of the event.

Read more.

[crossy]

Just going for a coffee break and I noticed this story.

This report may seem basic, but it has since been updated 71 times by a human editor as its initial purpose is to quickly and accurately announce the breaking news.

Erm the phrase "quickly and accurately" doesn't seem to square with a sample article having to be edited 71 times, unless that editor was a pernickerty cuss.

Other computer algorithms are implemented to aid article drafting, including one which generates articles for the paper regarding homicides in the city.

Sad reflection on the Los Angeles environment if they have to automate the production of article about homicides. Or am I being naive?

[virtuo]

I think it announces the event quickly, then the human editor is adding facts and quotes from Twitter as they come in.

Also sounds like the police have some sort of murder RSS feed for that automated service to consume.

[crossy]

I think it announces the event quickly, then the human editor is adding facts and quotes from Twitter as they come in. Also sounds like the police have some sort of murder RSS feed for that automated service to consume.

Well at least the LAPD don't have a similarly automated Twitter stream to announce murders - hash tag #deathinla?

Sometimes I see this kind of stuff and despair of the human race...