AUTOMATION, MAY 2015

ROAD TO AUTOMATION

– Started in December 2012 – with a theory.

– Explored to understand.

– Tested football rankings, sports stories.

– Eureka moment related to business news.

WHY?

– Tight staffing.

– Customer demand.

– Yet diminishing value for labor involved.

– Unchanged process since dawn of time.

– Other opportunities with greater value: “We have better things to do with our time.”

HOW?

– Winter/spring 2014: Prep, contracts, tests.

– July 2014: Announced, semi-live tests, invested in AI.

– October 2014: Launched live to wire.

April 15, 2023 ASSOCIATED PRESS and other footer info

PREPARATION

– Team of five people.

– Semi-live testing.

– Adjustments, changes.

– Retrofitting v. innovating.

– Full live.

April 15, 2023 ASSOCIATED PRESS and other footer info

RESULTS

– Freed about 20 percent staff time.

– Reconfiguring reporting assignments, core business desk.

– Refocus on coverage of importance.

– Staff, customers receptive and pleased.

April 15, 2023 ASSOCIATED PRESS and other footer info

NEXT

– AI sold in January, AP profited.

– Business earnings: Nearly 5K a quarter by end of year.

– Sports: NCAA agreement for D1 baseball, D2 and D3 collegiate sports.

– Automation editor: What else can we automate in our processes or with data?

– Future: Data viz, elections and more.

AUTOMATION, MAY 2015