Terribly written AI news stories on weird sites ---- what is the point?

[torbee]

I have a Google news alert set for "Davenport" "Quad Cities" and some other local topics/places. Good way to make sure important stories don't slip through the cracks.

Since ChatGPT and other sites have really gotten going, I've noticed the number of faux-news sites that clearly use AI to half-assedly create "content" has increased dramatically. Does anyone know what the business model for these things is? Are people actually paying real money to put advertisements on them? I can't imagine the ROI is very good.

Anyway, the quality of these "stories" is often comical, as is the case here:

LOCAL NEWS

QC Pride promises a month full of pride​

ByWEBDESK
Posted on June 2, 2023

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Four Cities (KWQC) – Four Cities join the nation and parts of the world in celebrating Pride Month with planned activities.
Every year in June, LGBTQ+ communities around the world celebrate, but this year they have a more rock-solid scene.
The Quad-Cities LGBTQ+ community is planning events throughout the month to bring people together.

• On Friday, June 2, from 6 to 11 p.m., the Pride Cities Alliance will host a Pride Festival at Schwiebert Park, 101 17th St., Rock Island.
• QC Roller Derby will be hosting a Family Skate Night at the Eldridge Community Center and Skatepark on Thursday, June 8th from 6-8pm.
• Saturday, June 10, at 5:00 p.m. Four cities project will host 30th Annual Red Ribbon Gala at Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway, East Moline. The gala is the largest fundraiser for people living with HIV. The evening features music, lunch and a silent and live auction. Tickets can be purchased here www.tpqc.org/rrg30.
• Sunday, June 11 at 4:00 p.m., Four Months, a 2014 film featuring intertwined love stories, can be seen on Figge Art Museum, in the John Deere Auditorium, 225 W. 2. St., Davenport. Admission is free. Watch the trailer here: youtu.be/hcdfXVbGcXc
• On Thursday, June 15, the Quad Cities Project is planning an honors party at The Current, but no further details have been released.
• Friday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. Clock Inc. Pride Paint Night will be held at 4102 46th Ave., Rock Island. The goal of Clock Inc. is to provide a community center for LGBTQ+ gatherings that is free from discrimination.
• On Saturday, June 17, at 11:00 a.m., “Clock Inc.” The forbidden book story hour will be held.

Many Republican states have enacted laws that would strip school library shelves of what lawmakers deem inappropriate.
According to a recent report by the American Library Association, attempts to ban and restrict books in schools and public libraries are on the rise, setting a record in 2022.

On May 26, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed ten bills into law ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, including high-profile legislation that would ban gender identity education from classrooms through sixth grade and sexually explicit books from school libraries. is

• On Saturday, June 17th, the Unity Pride Parade will begin at 2:30 in downtown Moline. An hour later, Bass Street Landing at 1601 River Drive, Moline, will be home to a Pride party, including drag shows, live music and food.
• On Sunday, June 18 at 4 p.m., the Figge will screen Tomboy, a 2011 film about a French family who moves and a girl is mistaken for a boy. Watch the trailer: .
• The Pride 5K Walk, Run & Roll begins Sunday, June 25 at 8 a.m. at Bass Street Landing, 1601 River Drive #306, Moline. Registration: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=138037
• On Sunday, June 25, at 4:00 p.m., Figge will screen Joyland, the 2022 Cannes Film Festival winner. The film is about a backup burlesque dancer for a transgender woman. The film is banned in Pakistan’s Punjab, where it was shot. Watch the trailer:
• On Thursday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m., a night of pride will be held in “Duzangand Darya”.

 

[On Iowa]

The point is to get you to click so they sell ad space. The fact that you don't stay doesn't matter - they get paid either way, and as long as they appear high on the google list, they'll get that.

 

[NDallasRuss]

The google on my phone gives me a collection of different stories each morning. I'm sure they're driven by google knowing what I've been searching for/reading about, because the stories are usually perfectly timed.

I've noticed the same about most of those linked articles - they're related to the topic mostly, but they're clearly the result of someone requesting something like "provide me with a 500-word article related to Max Verstappen setting the fastest lap" - and copying/pasting whatever is spit out. So you get the topic, the related background, then extra stuff tacked on at the end to stretch it.

 

[torbee]

The point is to get you to click so they sell ad space. The fact that you don't stay doesn't matter - they get paid either way, and as long as they appear high on the google list, they'll get that.

Right, but what is the business case for the people BUYING the ads? I can’t imagine they get many views or clicks.

 

[ICWestfan]

Right, but what is the business case for the people BUYING the ads? I can’t imagine they get many views or clicks.

If 100 people view the story/site, and 10 of them click on ads, thats a win right? Also, aren't those ads placed based off the users phone searches? So if you're out searching for dynamite because you can't catch fish with a rod and reel, aren't you going to see ads for dynamite retailers and associated items...blasting caps, electric plungers, etc?

 

[On Iowa]

Right, but what is the business case for the people BUYING the ads? I can’t imagine they get many views or clicks.

They're probably just subscribing to Google ads like all the cell phone games do, so they get paid from Google, not like they're out selling ads to the locals like a real newspaper would.

 

[Moral]

I'll have to work on my AI story about this thread but it starts great.

Torbee was a journalist with a passion for three things in life: beer, fishing, and his career. He had spent years honing his skills and establishing himself as a renowned journalist in the local area. However, recently he had been facing an unexpected challenge: an ongoing struggle with his health. Torbee had been losing excessive weight and feeling constantly fatigued, and after numerous medical consultations, he discovered it was due to a systemic electrolyte imbalance.

 

[DooBi]

I believe this is at least the second thread op has started complaining about AI written articles. Are you afraid they're takin' yer job!? Lol

 

[HawCory]

I'll have to work on my AI story about this thread but it starts great.

Torbee was a journalist with a passion for three things in life: beer, fishing, and his career. He had spent years honing his skills and establishing himself as a renowned journalist in the local area. However, recently he had been facing an unexpected challenge: an ongoing struggle with his health. Torbee had been losing excessive weight and feeling constantly fatigued, and after numerous medical consultations, he discovered it was due to a systemic electrolyte imbalance.

Sounds like @torbee needs to start a heavy Brawndo regimen.

 

[HawkeyeHitman]

Once artificial intelligence really starts to take of torbee will be one of the most useless people in the world.

 

[GOHOX69]

Many have some Indian person in the byline. Prolly being cranked out from Bombay and the black hole of Calcutta. The one on Jack McCaffery's "death" is beyond stupid.

Jack Mccaffery Car Accident, Who Was Jack Mccaffery? What was His Cause of Death? - News

Jack Mccaffery Car Accident: A member of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team Jack Mccaffery was involved in a car accident on Monday, May 22, 2023.

www.fresherslive.com

 

[torbee]

I believe this is at least the second thread op has started complaining about AI written articles. Are you afraid they're takin' yer job!? Lol

I mean all people should have that concern to some extent, IMO.

But no, in my current position, I don't believe I am in any danger of being replaced by a robot.

 

[torbee]

LOL -- I think they meant "boom" hour - but I like the idea of holding a happy hour for the homeless on the bridge 😂

LOCAL NEWS

Iowa DOT sets “bum hour” for old I-74​

ByWEBDESK
Posted on June 5, 2023

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QUAD-CITIES (KWQC) – At 7 a.m. June 18, the Iowa Department of Transportation will use controlled explosives to remove overhead cables and towers on the old eastbound I-74 bridge over the Mississippi River. won
Requires the new I-74 bridge to be temporarily closed to vehicles and pedestrians. The river will also be temporarily closed to commercial traffic and pleasure boats.

The main navigation channel in the river will be closed from 6 am on June 18 for 24 hours. Areas outside the main navigation channel will be closed for up to 72 hours for debris removal.

Law enforcement officers will monitor the river.
“Safety is our top priority during the demolition process. We ask the public, including boaters, to exercise caution and avoid the restricted area during this critical operation,” said Chris Snyder, Project Manager for Helm Group, the demonstration contractor.

IDOT directs traffic for bridge demolitions(IDOT)
Riverside Road is closed in Bettendorf, residents and visitors to the area are advised to check the restricted area map. Access to this area, including Lich Park in Bettendorf, is strictly prohibited. Sections of the Riverside Road will be closed in Bettendorf. Access to businesses on Street Street and the Isle Casino Hotel will be open. In addition, the parking lot near the new bridge in Bettendorf will be closed to the public.

 

[win4jj]

Once artificial intelligence really starts to take off torbee will be one of the most useless people in the world.

Thanks for an example of real unintelligent Mr. Phonics.

 

[TJ8869]

LOL -- I think they meant "boom" hour - but I like the idea of holding a happy hour for the homeless on the bridge 😂

LOCAL NEWS

Iowa DOT sets “bum hour” for old I-74​

ByWEBDESK
Posted on June 5, 2023

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QUAD-CITIES (KWQC) – At 7 a.m. June 18, the Iowa Department of Transportation will use controlled explosives to remove overhead cables and towers on the old eastbound I-74 bridge over the Mississippi River. won
Requires the new I-74 bridge to be temporarily closed to vehicles and pedestrians. The river will also be temporarily closed to commercial traffic and pleasure boats.

The main navigation channel in the river will be closed from 6 am on June 18 for 24 hours. Areas outside the main navigation channel will be closed for up to 72 hours for debris removal.

Law enforcement officers will monitor the river.
“Safety is our top priority during the demolition process. We ask the public, including boaters, to exercise caution and avoid the restricted area during this critical operation,” said Chris Snyder, Project Manager for Helm Group, the demonstration contractor.

IDOT directs traffic for bridge demolitions(IDOT)
Riverside Road is closed in Bettendorf, residents and visitors to the area are advised to check the restricted area map. Access to this area, including Lich Park in Bettendorf, is strictly prohibited. Sections of the Riverside Road will be closed in Bettendorf. Access to businesses on Street Street and the Isle Casino Hotel will be open. In addition, the parking lot near the new bridge in Bettendorf will be closed to the public.

I was kind of hoping it meant that for one hour the demolition workers would be pantsless.

 

[bagdropper]

LOL -- I think they meant "boom" hour - but I like the idea of holding a happy hour for the homeless on the bridge 😂

 

[torbee]

Once artificial intelligence really starts to take of torbee will be one of the most useless people in the world.

Just more time for me to bang your wife. Tell her to lose some weight though, her ass is starting to look like yours, only a bit hairier.