AI can give context, convert bullet points into news reports

Query: Can AI check the ability of Generative AI to convert a fact sheet based on bullet points into a news report?

Background: The reporters organize information gathered from different sources into news points. They then build a news lead using the most importnat point. The remaining points are organized in order of decreasing importance.

Experiment: I searched the net for a suitable news report and found one about food ordered by Indians across a year using a food app. I stripped this information of all context and converted it into a bulleted list.

The fact sheet had only data points, the skeletonised information that you share with the Design Team to create an Infographic.

The challenge before Generative AI was to weave these data points into a readable story.

I next created a suitable prompt and fed the bulleted list to ChatGPT. Here’s what happened:

# Prompt: Use the points listed below to write a web report in the inverted pyramid format.

# Fact Sheet

• Momos: Over 1 crore times
• Mumbai’s Vada pav: 32 lakh orders
• Samosas: 5 million orders
• Pav bhaji: 2.1 million orders
• Chicken biryani was ordered 4.3 times more than vegetarian Biryani.
• Biggest single order: Rs.33,000 by customer in Ahmedabad
• Biryani: 115 Biryanis were ordered per minute and in 2021; 90 Biryanis were ordered per minute in 2020
• Healthy food: on the app doubled in 2021.
• Healthy conscious cities based on orders: Bangalore, followed by Hyderabad and Mumbai
• Healthy food: Restaurants with healthy food options witnessed a 200 % jump.
• Dal khichdi: Mumbai ordered twice as many Dal Khichdis as compared to chicken biryanis.

# Chat GPT Response

Indian Food Ordering Trends: Momos Reign Supreme, Biryani Dominates, Healthy Options Soar

# Lead:

Indian food ordering trends for the past year reveal a diverse palate and shifting preferences among consumers. From the ubiquitous momos to Mumbai’s iconic vada pav, and the perennial favourite, biryani, Indians have showcased their culinary preferences through millions of orders. Additionally, a surge in health-conscious choices has reshaped the landscape of food delivery, with cities like Bangalore leading the charge.

# Body:

1. Momos Take the Lead: Momos emerged as the undisputed favourite among Indian food enthusiasts, with over 1 crore orders recorded throughout the year. The popularity of this Tibetan delicacy continues to soar across the nation.
2. Regional Delights: Mumbai’s beloved vada pav secured a commendable 32 lakh orders, showcasing the enduring love affair between the city and its iconic street food.

• Samosas, a quintessential Indian snack, garnered 5 million orders, reflecting their widespread appeal across the country.

• Pav bhaji, another Mumbai favourite, garnered 2.1 million orders, reaffirming its status as a comfort food staple.

3. Biryani Dominance:

• Biryani emerged as the reigning monarch of Indian cuisine, with chicken biryani ordered a staggering 4.3 times more than its vegetarian counterpart. The aromatic rice dish continued to captivate taste buds nationwide.

• In a remarkable statistic, 115 biryanis were ordered per minute in 2021, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s rate of 90 biryanis per minute.

4. Notable Records:

• The year witnessed a record-breaking single order of Rs. 33,000 placed by a customer in Ahmedabad, showcasing the willingness of patrons to splurge on their culinary indulgences.

5. Rise of Health Consciousness:

• A notable trend in 2021 was the doubling of orders for healthy food options on the delivery app. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Mumbai emerged as the frontrunners in embracing healthier eating habits.

• Restaurants offering healthy food witnessed a staggering 200% surge in demand, indicating a paradigm shift towards mindful eating choices.

6. Dal Khichdi vs. Chicken Biryani:

• Mumbai stood out as a bastion of traditional flavours, with twice as many orders for dal khichdi compared to chicken biryani. This preference highlights the city’s appreciation for wholesome, comforting meals amidst the bustling metropolis.

Conclusion:

The past year has been a dynamic period for the Indian food delivery landscape, marked by a blend of traditional favourites, culinary indulgences, and a growing emphasis on health-conscious choices. As consumers continue to explore new flavours and dining experiences, the industry remains poised to adapt and innovate in response to evolving preferences and trends.

# My findings:

1. AI was able to connect the dots and create a highly readable story.
2. What was most impressive was the grouping of facts. AI organised the bulleted points under six clear heads.
3. Each grouping was given a headline, technically called a sidehead.
4. Context was given to each food item. Some of it was picked up from the bullet points; but most of the context came from AI’s database.
5. Most important, the bullet points were fleshed out with details and analysis. They were no longer a list of unconnected points but marshalled as well-crafted sentences with a subject, verb and an object.
6. The report was not in the classis inverted pyramid format. But it met the requirement of being formatted for the web.
7. The Lead and the ending needed some sharpening. But broadly, they served their purpose.

Bottomline: Generative AI can be fed bulleted lists, and it can convert them into readable reports, much like what reporters do.

(Note: AI had placed sideheads within a double asterisk. They have been removed and the sideheads are displayed in bold font.)

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