WSJ's AI-Powered News Summaries

Published Date : 09/06/2025 

The Wall Street Journal is leveraging artificial intelligence to generate concise summaries of its articles, enhancing reader experience and transparency. 

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its newsroom operations. One of the most notable applications of AI at the WSJ is the generation of concise summaries, known as 'Key Points,' for its articles. These summaries are designed to provide readers with a quick overview of the main points without having to read the entire piece.

Sarah Scire of Nieman Lab highlights the WSJ's AI-generated summaries, which appear as three bullet points under the headline of each article. For instance, an exclusive article about economists questioning the accuracy of U.S. inflation data features a summary that looks like this:

- Economists are raising concerns about the accuracy of U.S. inflation data.

- The debate centers on the methods used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the Consumer Price Index.

- Some experts argue that the current methods may understate the true level of inflation.

Tess Jeffers, the director of newsroom data and AI for the WSJ, emphasizes the importance of trust and transparency. 'Trust and transparency with our audiences are core to our mission,' Jeffers stated. Every AI-generated summary includes a 'What’s this?' button that provides a clear explanation to readers. When clicked, the button reveals the following message: 'An artificial-intelligence tool created this summary, which was based on the text of the article and checked by an editor. Read more about how we use artificial intelligence in our journalism.'

The development of this feature began in early 2024. Initially, the project was aimed at the WSJ's Newswires product, which is designed for B2B clients who need key information without reading the full article. However, once the AI workflow was integrated into the content management system (CMS), the summaries were leveraged in other areas of the WSJ's digital presence.

Jeffers noted, 'Initially, the work was scoped for our Newswires product, targeted towards B2B clients who want key information without necessarily reading the full article text. Once the AI workflow was built into the CMS, however, we could leverage the summaries in other places.'

The WSJ's approach to AI-generated summaries is a testament to the newspaper's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital journalism. By providing readers with quick, accurate, and transparent summaries, the WSJ is enhancing the user experience and maintaining its reputation as a trusted source of news and information.

Read more about the WSJ's use of AI in journalism and how it is transforming the way news is consumed and understood. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are 'Key Points' in WSJ articles?

A: Key Points are AI-generated summaries that appear as three bullet points under the headline of each WSJ article. They provide a quick overview of the main points of the article.

Q: How does the WSJ ensure the accuracy of AI-generated summaries?

A: The WSJ ensures accuracy by having an editor check each AI-generated summary before it is published. The summaries are based on the text of the article and are designed to be concise and accurate.

Q: When did the WSJ start using AI for summaries?

A: The WSJ began working on AI-generated summaries in early 2024. The feature was initially developed for the Newswires product but was later integrated into other areas of the WSJ's digital presence.

Q: How does the WSJ maintain transparency with its readers?

A: The WSJ maintains transparency by including a 'What’s this?' button with each AI-generated summary. When clicked, the button provides an explanation of how the summary was created and links to more information about the use of AI in journalism.

Q: Who is Tess Jeffers and what is her role at the WSJ?

A: Tess Jeffers is the director of newsroom data and AI for the Wall Street Journal. She oversees the integration and use of AI in the WSJ's newsroom operations, ensuring that the technology is used to enhance trust and transparency. 

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