The Washington Post is reportedly considering a new initiative that would allow non-professional writers to contribute opinion columns by utilizing an AI writing assistant named Ember, according to a report from The New York Times. This initiative aligns with the paper’s aim to broaden its offerings of external opinion pieces, inviting contributions from various sources including other publications, Substack authors, and amateur columnists.
According to sources who spoke to the Times, Ember is designed to automate several tasks typically performed by human editors. The tool features a “story strength” tracker that assesses the progression of a piece, alongside a sidebar that outlines critical components of a story, such as an “initial thesis,” “supporting arguments,” and a “memorable conclusion.” Additionally, writers will have the benefit of an AI assistant, which will provide prompts and developmental questions to enhance their writing process.
Internally referred to as Ripple, this project aims to make its articles accessible without a subscription through the outlet’s website and app. The Washington Post is looking to establish its first partnerships this summer, with the integration of the AI writing coach anticipated to be part of the project’s final phase, which may begin testing in the fall. It has been reported that before articles are published, they will undergo review by human editors, operating independently of the newspaper’s traditional opinion section.
In recent months, The Washington Post has experienced significant changes, particularly under the influence of its owner, Jeff Bezos, who is also the founder of Amazon. Reports indicate that Bezos intervened to retract the publication’s endorsement of Kamala Harris for the presidency. Furthermore, he communicated to staff that opinion articles opposing the principles of “free speech and free markets” would no longer be accepted, marking a shift in the publication’s editorial guidelines. Ripple is expected to cater to an audience seeking a broader array of perspectives than those currently presented in the paper’s established opinion section.
