The Washington Post could soon allow non-professional writers to submit opinion columns using an AI writing coach known as Ember, according to a report from The New York Times. The move is reportedly part of a broader initiative to open the paper to outside opinion pieces, including from other publications, Substack writers, and amateur columnists.
Sources tell the Times that Ember “could automate several functions normally provided by human editors,” including by offering a “story strength” tracker that indicates how a piece is progressing. The tool also reportedly has a sidebar showing the fundamental parts of a story, such as an “early thesis,” “supporting points,” and a “memorable ending.” the Times adds that writers would also have access to an AI assistant, which would support them with prompts and “developmental questions.”
The project is reportedly called Ripple internally, and sources tell the Times that the articles will be available without a subscription on the outlet’s website and app. The publication aims to secure its first partnerships this summer, while incorporating the AI writing coach will be part of the project’s “final phase” that could begin testing this fall, according to the Times. Human editors would reportedly review the pieces before they’re published, which would be separate from the newspaper’s opinion section.
The Washington Post has undergone a major shift over the past several months, with newspaper owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos reportedly intervening to cancel the outlet’s endorsement of Kamala Harris for president. The billionaire later told staff that the Post will no longer publish opinion articles that go against “free speech and free markets,” according to a February report from The New York Times. Ripple is reportedly meant to cater to readers looking for “more breadth” than the paper’s existing opinion section.