Microsoft plans to replace dozens of news production contractors working for MSN with artificial intelligence, and won’t be renewing their contacts, reports Seattle Times.
Approximately 50 employees have already been notified that their services will no longer be needed after June 30, according to the publication.
“Like all companies, we evaluate our business on a regular basis,” a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement.
“This can result in increased investment in some places and, from time to time, re-deployment in others. These decisions are not the result of the current pandemic.”
“It’s been semi-automated for a few months but now it’s full speed ahead,’’ one of the terminated contractors said. “It’s demoralizing to think machines can replace us but there you go.’’
The journalists working on the Microsoft site did not report original stories. They selected stories produced by other news organizations and edited the content and headlines.
