Los Angeles Times AI opinion tool adds second viewpoint to columns

• The Los Angeles Times introduced Insights, an AI-powered feature offering opposing viewpoints to editorial columns. The move aims to expose readers to multiple sides of controversial issues and break echo chambers. It also reflects Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong’s leadership, sparking both innovation and conflict.
• Critics, including journalists and readers, raised concerns about the tool’s bias categorization and lack of editorial vetting, questioning its impact on media trust and newsroom funding.
• Despite pushback, Soon-Shiong defends Insights as part of the paper’s mission to present diverse perspectives and help readers navigate complex topics.

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The Los Angeles Times is using artificial intelligence to reshape how readers engage with opinion content. The paper’s new feature, Insights, offers AI-generated opposing viewpoints to its editorial columns.

According to the Associated Press, Insights aims to help readers break out of echo chambers. It presents counterarguments alongside original opinions to promote exposure to multiple sides of controversial issues.

A controversial shift in editorial direction

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who bought the Los Angeles Times in 2018, has overseen an increase in digital subscriptions. However, his leadership has not come without conflict.

In 2024, Soon-Shiong blocked the paper’s planned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. That decision led to the resignation of several editorial board members and the loss of approximately 20,000 subscribers.

A letter to the editor published in December shared a range of public reactions. Some readers welcomed the change. One wrote, “The owner Dr. Soon-Shiong’s decision in October not to endorse any presidential candidates was like fresh air in a dull room.”

Others expressed concern about the AI opinion tool and its attempt to categorize bias. One reader questioned, “How do you go about judging what is left- or right-leaning … who makes that judgment, and are their own biases driving that judgment?”

Readers and staff push back on AI-generated content

Columnist Jackie Calmes’ April 3 piece, “Making America a Colonizer Again,” offers a sharp critique of the Trump administration. She discusses the Ukraine resource deal and immigration enforcement as evidence of neocolonial policy.

The Insights feature presented an AI-generated opposing view. It read:

“Supporters argue Trump’s strict immigration policies—including ending ‘catch-and-release,’ expanding expedited removals, and deploying military personnel to secure borders—are necessary to address record border crossings and safeguard national sovereignty.”

Soon-Shiong defended the Insights feature. He stated, “The purpose of Insights is to offer readers an instantly accessible way to see a wide range of different AI-enabled perspectives alongside the positions presented in the article.”

He added that more viewpoints support the Los Angeles Times journalistic mission.

Journalists raise ethical and financial concerns

The union representing Los Angeles Times journalists criticized the move. In a statement to The Guardian, the union’s vice-chair, Matt Hamilton, said:

“We support efforts to improve media literacy and clearly distinguish our news report from our opinion pages. But we don’t think this approach—AI-generated analysis unvetted by editorial staff—will do much to enhance trust in the media.”

The union added that the money used to build the Los Angeles Times AI opinion tool could have supported newsroom staff. Journalists at the paper have not received a cost-of-living increase since 2021, according to Hamilton.

Despite the criticism, Soon-Shiong stands by the effort. He referenced the paper’s mission statement:

“We strive to take into account different perspectives, particularly if they don’t align with our own, to inform our views. Our hope is to lay out arguments and analyses that can help our readers navigate complex questions.”