In a groundbreaking move, the Italian daily newspaper Il Foglio has made history by publishing a four-page supplement entirely written by artificial intelligence.
Titled Il Foglio AI, this special edition marks a significant milestone in journalism, offering a glimpse into what happens when machines take over the newsroom.
Editor-in-Chief Claudio Cerasa explained that human journalists played a minimal role mostly asking questions and reviewing the AI’s work.
The AI handled the rest, from writing articles to structuring the layout and even drafting letters to the editor. The supplement covered various topics, from Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to Italy’s economic outlook, all presented in polished, grammatically flawless prose.
Testing the Limits: What Can AI Really Do?
This wasn’t just a flashy tech demo it was a deliberate experiment. Cerasa stressed that the goal wasn’t to replace human journalists but to explore the potential and limitations of AI in journalism.
The project showcased AI’s ability to produce content quickly and with a clear structure, but it also raised important questions about judgment, nuance, and ethics.
Can AI maintain editorial integrity? Who’s responsible if mistakes or misinformation slip through? While this was a controlled test, it hints at a future where AI could play a much more significant role in newsrooms worldwide.
How Is This Different From Other AI Journalism?
Many news outlets already use AI to automate tasks like reporting sports scores or financial updates.
But Il Foglio took things to a whole new level. This wasn’t just AI writing a single article or tweaking a headline it was a fully autonomous, end-to-end production of an entire newspaper supplement.
The content was not shaped by a human editorial voice, making it one of the first examples of fully AI-generated journalism.
This shift challenges traditional notions of authorship and storytelling, forcing us to ask: Is journalism still about human-crafted narratives, or is it evolving into something entirely new?
Mixed Reactions: Praise and Concerns
The response to Il Foglio AI has been a mix of fascination and unease. Some readers were impressed by the AI’s smooth, professional tone and the clarity of its writing.
Others, however, worried about what might be lost in journalism’s empathy, critical analysis, and the unique perspective from lived experience. Media professionals are watching closely; some see this as a promising tool for overworked newsrooms.
Others view it as a warning sign of a future where content is optimised for efficiency but lacks depth. Regardless of where people stand, Il Foglio AI has undeniably sparked a meaningful conversation about the role of AI in journalism.
The Tech Behind the Scenes
While Il Foglio hasn’t revealed precisely which AI tools were used, the sophistication of the writing suggests a powerful large language model, possibly fine-tuned for Italian editorial tasks.
The supplement’s layout and flow indicate natural language processing tools combined with automated publishing systems.
What’s particularly striking is the AI’s ability to mimic a traditional newspaper format, complete with headlines, story segments, and even reader-submitted letters generated through prompts. This blend of language modelling and layout automation highlights how advanced AI tools have become.
Is AI a Threat or a Tool for Journalism?
Cerasa has been clear that the goal of this experiment wasn’t to replace journalists but to learn from them.
Still, the project raises concerns about the vulnerability of specific newsroom roles as AI systems become more capable and efficient.
With media organisations often under financial pressure, the temptation to rely on AI for speed and cost savings is real.
But there’s a risk: Could this come at the expense of storytelling depth and editorial integrity? The experiment forces us to ask what we value most in journalism is it just the information, or is it the human touch that gives it meaning?
What’s Next for AI in Journalism?
The future is still wide open. Il Foglio hasn’t announced plans for more AI-only editions, but the success of this first attempt suggests it’s a possibility.
Whether the industry embraces full automation or proceeds cautiously, one thing is sure: the line between human and machine journalism is starting to blur.
As Cerasa said, “The future of journalism doesn’t belong to AI alone, but neither can it ignore it.” Finding the right balance between innovation and integrity may be the defining challenge for newsrooms in the years to come.
At its core, Il Foglio AI isn’t just about technology it’s about the soul of journalism. Can machines replicate the empathy, insight, and ethical judgment that human journalists bring to their work?
Or will AI-driven journalism become a new genre that prioritizes speed and efficiency over depth and nuance? Il Foglio has put these questions on the table, and the answers will shape the future of how we tell and consume stories.
