Wikipedia has revised the reliability rating of tech site CNET following extensive discussions among its editors about the implications of AI-generated content on the site’s trustworthiness, as detailed in a report from Futurism. This decision indicates growing concerns regarding the reliability of articles published by CNET after it started publishing AI-generated content in 2022. In November 2022, CNET began publishing articles produced by an AI model under the "CNET Money Staff" byline. In January 2023, Futurism highlighted the issue, revealing that these articles contained numerous instances of plagiarism and inaccuracies. Around this time, we also reported on BuzzFeed's plans to implement similar automated publishing processes. Although CNET management suspended the experiment following these revelations, the damage to its reputation had already occurred. Wikipedia has a section titled "Reliable sources/Perennial sources, " which includes a chart displaying various news publications alongside their reliability ratings from Wikipedia's viewpoint. Following the CNET news in January 2023, Wikipedia editors initiated a discussion on the Reliable Sources project page regarding the publication. "CNET, generally viewed as a standard tech RS [reliable source], has begun experiment with AI-generated articles that contain numerous errors, " commented Wikipedia editor David Gerard. "So far, the experiment is receiving negative feedback, as it rightly should.

I have yet to find any, but any of these articles that are included in Wikipedia need to be removed. " After gaining consensus from other editors in the discussion, they commenced the process of downgrading CNET's reliability rating. As of this writing, Wikipedia's Perennial Sources list showcases three entries for CNET categorized into three time frames: (1) prior to October 2020, when CNET was considered a "generally reliable" source; (2) between October 2020 and October 2022, during which the site was acquired by Red Ventures, resulting in "a deterioration in editorial standards" with no consensus on its reliability; and (3) from November 2022 to the present, where CNET is seen as "generally unreliable" due to its use of an AI tool "to rapidly generate articles filled with factual inaccuracies and affiliate links. " A screenshot of a chart illustrating CNET's reliability ratings, as seen on Wikipedia's "Perennial Sources" page. Futurism points out that the controversy surrounding CNET's AI-generated content has led to a wider discussion within the Wikipedia community regarding the reliability of other sources owned by Red Ventures, like Bankrate and CreditCards. com, which also published AI-generated material during the same time frame. Editors criticized Red Ventures for a lack of transparency regarding where and how AI is being utilized, which further damaged the credibility of its publications. This lack of transparency heavily influenced the downgrade of CNET’s reliability rating. In response to these downgrades and the debates about AI-generated content, CNET released a statement asserting that it upholds high editorial standards. "CNET is the world's largest provider of unbiased, tech-focused news and advice, " a spokesperson for CNET stated to Futurism. "For nearly 30 years, we have been trusted due to our strict editorial and product review standards. It is important to emphasize that CNET is not actively using AI to generate new content. While we presently have no specific plans to restart such initiatives, any future endeavors would adhere to our public AI policy. " This article was updated on March 1, 2024, at 9:30 am to correct the date ranges for CNET on the Perennial Sources page.