ADNSUR, a digital-native media outlet in Patagonia, Argentina, faced challenges with social media videos adhering to content guidelines, leading to penalties and inefficient review processes. Recognizing the need for a solution that would streamline compliance, they developed an AI tool named OrtiBot to analyze scripts and ensure adherence to community standards across major social media platforms. The tool was created by Rocío Barquin and Bárbara Gallego, who utilized Google AI Studio during the Google AI Prototyping Sprint.

OrtiBot has proven effective, reducing queries from team members about script compliance and easing the overall workload in the newsroom. This initiative has been replicated by 12 other newsrooms in Argentina and Uruguay, which have also developed AI-based prototypes to solve operational challenges. For instance, Búsqueda, another participant, created Búsqueda Dataviz, a bot that facilitates customizable data visualizations, empowering journalists who lacked expertise in data journalism. This democratization of tools has allowed them to focus on more complex analyses while simplifying the presentation of information.

Furthermore, OPI Santa Cruz developed Archivo Opi Santa Cruz, an AI-based assistant to mine their extensive historical archives for context in investigative reporting, enabling richer storytelling and data cross-referencing. These AI applications not only save time and enhance content quality but also enhance the ability of journalists to produce more relevant and engaging narratives, demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in modern newsrooms.

UNICEF URGES ACTION TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM AI-GENERATED SEXUAL CONTENT
February 9, 2026
Maryanne Buechner

Deepfakes—AI-manipulated images, videos, or audio—are increasingly exploited to create sexualized content featuring children, prompting UNICEF's urgent call for action ahead of Safer Internet Day. The organization is alarmed by a reported surge in AI-generated sexualized images of minors, urging governments, AI developers, and tech companies to safeguard children from this escalating abuse.

A recent survey reveals that at least 1.2 million children reported having their images manipulated into sexualized content over the past year, with some countries seeing rates as high as 1 in 25 children. The ease of creating such material has expanded as generative AI tools, once complex and proprietary, have become accessible on consumer-grade hardware.

UNICEF emphasizes that “Deepfake abuse is abuse,” highlighting that the harm inflicted on children is real and immediate. The organization calls for governments to criminalize the creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse material and urges AI developers to adopt safety-by-design measures to shield their systems from misuse.

Digital companies are also urged to enhance content moderation with advanced detection technologies to preemptively eliminate abusive material rather than reactively respond. The rapid spread of this content poses serious emotional risks to children, including shame, stigma, and social isolation.

In response to this urgent threat, UNICEF advocates for a comprehensive approach, providing guidance to stakeholders on creating child-centered AI systems and policies. “Urgent action is needed,” UNICEF states, emphasizing the need for resources and training among parents, educators, and law enforcement to support affected children effectively.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — At Ocean Lakes High School, an advanced journalism class is equipping students with vital skills to navigate the challenges posed by AI-generated news content. As they work on the digital edition of their school newspaper, The Current, they learn to identify AI-influenced media that appears across social media and news platforms.

Students like Mihika Sakharpe actively curate their news sources, favoring outlets like AP, BBC, and Reuters, while their teacher, Fara Wiles, emphasizes the importance of media literacy in an AI-driven landscape. However, as 11th grader Austin Stegerwald observes, distinguishing AI content can be tricky, noting that "sometimes you wouldn't really know if it's AI just by the writing itself."

Despite the growing sophistication of AI detection methods, students have created their own strategies. Dominic Zdan highlights visual disparities, saying, "AI tends to make things look very cartoonish." Sakharpe has learned to spot familiar patterns in AI-generated text, noting how AI often adheres to specific rhetorical structures.

The implications of AI-generated news are far-reaching, particularly concerning breaking news events. Zdan called attention to the blurred lines between real and AI content in reports of critical incidents, emphasizing the need for discernible differences for informed consumption.

To combat misinformation, Stegerwald advocates for cross-referencing news with established sources, a practice he maintains even when confronting content that aligns with his personal beliefs. This approach underscores the necessity of verification, particularly as newer AI tools continuously enhance their quality.

As these young media consumers navigate a complex landscape, concerns about the broader ramifications of AI in news remain at the forefront of their discussions. Stegerwald expresses apprehension about the potential consequences of unchecked AI in media, underscoring an urgent need for regulatory measures.

At ABC 10News and its parent company E.W. Scripps, artificial intelligence is enhancing journalism without replacing it. AI acts as a valuable assistant, allowing our reporting to be more efficient and thorough while adhering to high editorial standards through a verification process.

One prominent application of AI is in document analysis. It can quickly summarize long policy documents and highlight key takeaways linked to specific page numbers, enabling reporters to navigate complex information swiftly, especially under tight deadlines. Additionally, AI functions as an editorial assistant during script reviews, helping reporters assess their work for fairness and balance. This ensures diverse viewpoints are included in stories, while all scripts are ultimately vetted by experienced managers for final approval.

Another significant application involves converting television scripts into articles for our website and social media. AI streamlines this process, allowing journalists to focus on factual accuracy before publication. Moreover, AI assists in generating follow-up story ideas, helping to keep coverage on essential topics fresh and relevant.

Our commitment to transparency fosters trust with our audience. By treating AI as a supplementary tool rather than a substitute for human judgment, we enhance efficiency without sacrificing journalistic integrity. Viewers interested in learning more about the intersection of AI and journalism are encouraged to reach out to ABC 10News. This story exemplifies our collaboration with AI in reporting while our editorial team rigorously ensures accuracy and fairness across all platforms.