Dozens of journalists have been sacked after Microsoft decided to replace with them with artificial intelligence software.

Staff who maintain the news homepages on Microsoft’s MSN website and its Edge browser – used by millions of ppl every day – have been told that they will be no longer be required because robots can now do their jobs.

Around 27 individuals employed by PA Media – formerly the Press Association – were told on Thursday that they would lose their jobs in a month’s time after Microsoft decided to stop employing humans to select, edit and curate news articles on its homepages.

Employees were told Microsoft’s decision to end the contract with PA Media was taken at short notice as part of a global shift away from humans in favour of automated updates for news.

One staff member who worked on the team said: “I spend all my time reading about how automation and AI is going to take all our jobs, and here I am – AI has taken my job.”

Manual curation of news stories also ensured that headlines were clear and appropriate for the format, while encouraging a spread of political opinions and avoiding untrustworthy stories, while highlighting interesting articles from smaller outlets.

Some of the journalists now facing redundancy had longstanding experience in the industry, while for others it offered a foot in the door and a job in an industry which has seen wave after wave of cuts. They now face a tough challenge to get jobs elsewhere when the whole industry is looking to cut costs. Other teams around the world are expected to be affected by Microsoft’s decision to automate the curation of its news sites.

In common with other news organisations, PA Media is facing tough financial challenges and has had to furlough some staff and ask others to take pay cuts. The company has expanded outside its traditional news agency business, recently buying stock image business Alamy shortly before the pandemic devastated the media industry.

Engineers please stop building things that will collect people jobs while you guys still have yours

I hope you guys won't build an AI that will replace medical practitioners soon

Jokerman:
Engineers please stop building things that will collect people jobs while you guys still have yours

I hope you guys won't build an AI that will replace medical practitioners soon

Community pharmacists most likely will be the next career path to be perceived as outdated. That is because their role centers on dispensing prescribed drugs, which can be done by an AI or automated storage containing drugs.

Also in USA, Pharmacists are now trained to practise somewhat as Doctors and inside Hospitals. That tells you its gaining momentum, what I said.

For Doctors and Nurses, never. Robots or Softwares can't replace their roles in Hospitals.