Politico’s Union Challenges AI Use in Newsroom Management
Politico is entering a legal dispute with its management over the use of artificial intelligence in its newsroom. The issue centers on whether the company has violated union contract provisions concerning AI deployment, raising questions about journalists' control over how this technology is integrated into their work.
Background on AI and Union Agreement
Politico was among the first news organizations to negotiate union contract terms that include specific rules on AI usage. Represented by the PEN Guild, which covers Politico and E&E News, staff members claim that recent AI applications breach their agreement. The dispute will move to arbitration in July, potentially setting a precedent for AI governance in journalism.
Last year, Politico introduced AI-generated live summaries for major political events such as the Democratic National Convention and vice presidential debates. In March, they launched Policy Intelligence Assistance, a suite of AI tools for subscribers, developed in partnership with Capitol AI, a Y Combinator-backed startup. Management framed this as merging AI capabilities with Politico’s policy expertise.
Union’s Claims and Contract Violations
Union members argue the company failed to provide the required 60-day notice and did not engage in good faith bargaining before deploying these AI tools. According to Ariel Wittenberg, PEN Guild chair, the AI outputs perform tasks traditionally done by reporters, impacting job duties without proper consultation.
Jon Schleuss, president of the Newsguild (which includes the PEN Guild), highlights that with no comprehensive federal AI regulations, union contracts are among the few enforceable mechanisms ensuring accountability in AI implementation.
Concerns Over AI Content and Ethical Standards
Politico insists it respects its collective bargaining obligations while pursuing new technologies. Spokesperson Heather Riley emphasized the commitment to ethical journalism alongside AI adoption.
Union representatives, including Arianna Skibell, vice chair for contract enforcement, stress that AI must meet the same ethical and stylistic standards as human reporters. Concerns include AI-generated content that included prohibited language, such as the term “criminal migrants” during immigration coverage, and factual inaccuracies like misattributing actions to Kamala Harris instead of the Biden administration.
Skibell and Wittenberg also contend that AI-generated content was removed or corrected without following the usual editorial approval process required for human-written pieces, suggesting a breach of correction and takedown policies.
Examples of AI-Related Errors
Union members point to errors in Politico’s premium AI tool for policy reports. For instance, a March 2025 report on abortion rights inaccurately treated the constitutional right as still valid, despite the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Such mistakes raise concerns about the reliability of AI-generated content.
Industry Context and Broader Implications
Politico’s AI experiments are part of a larger trend in journalism. Its parent company, German media conglomerate Axel Springer, has signed multiyear agreements with OpenAI, similar to other major outlets like Vox Media and The Atlantic. AI has contributed to award-winning journalism but also produced problematic coverage, as seen with CNET's AI-generated content that contained numerous errors.
As media companies increasingly integrate AI, journalists often have limited influence over its adoption. The outcome of Politico’s arbitration could influence industry-wide practices by clarifying journalists' rights concerning AI in their workflows.
Labor lawyer Alek Felstiner notes that the case's rarity in digital media magnifies its significance as one of the first legal examinations of AI’s impact on employment and labor rights.
Parallel Developments in Entertainment Industry
The entertainment sector has seen similar conflicts. In 2023, major Hollywood unions secured contracts with AI protections. Recently, SAG-AFTRA filed an unfair labor practice charge over unauthorized AI use of a deceased actor’s voice in a video game.
Politico’s union remains open to negotiation but is prepared to pursue arbitration to uphold their contract terms and ensure proper oversight of AI technology in journalism.
- Key takeaway for management: Transparent communication and good-faith bargaining with staff over AI integration are essential to avoid legal disputes.
- Legal perspective: This case may define enforceable standards for AI use in workplaces lacking federal AI regulations.
For further insights on AI implementation and labor relations, explore courses on AI in the workplace.
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