Editors can depend upon AI to write news headlines

Headlines are among the biggest challenges on any news desk, be it print or the web. Almost all copy editors struggle to write headlines. Now, they have an ally. They can turn to Generative AI to write headlines.

I picked up three news reports from the net today. The first was on American presidential elections; the second was on the change of guard in Haryana; and the third was a business story. They were all hard news reports, with the main news point captured in the lead.

For each news report I created two prompts: one to write three headlines for a newspaper and the second to write three headlines for the web.

The only difference was that the newspaper headlines had a word limitation. They had to be written in less that 12 words because of limited headline space in newspapers. There was no such limitation in the case of web headlines.

Please go through the newspaper and web headlines generated by ChatGPT. My findings are at the end.

Story 1

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clinched their parties’ presidential nominations Tuesday with decisive victories in a slate of low-profile primaries, setting up a general election rematch that many voters do not want.

The outcome of contests across Georgia, Mississippi and Washington State was never in doubt. Neither Biden, a Democrat, nor Trump, a Republican, faced major opposition. But the magnitude of their wins gave each man the delegate majority he needed to claim his party’s nomination at the summertime national conventions.

# Prompt 1: Write three newspaper headlines in less than 12 words each.

1. Biden, Trump Secure Nominations for General Election Rematch
2. Low-Profile Primaries Confirm Biden, Trump as Party Nominees
3. Biden, Trump Clinch Nominations with Decisive Primary Victories

# Prompt 2: Write three web headlines for the news report

1. Biden and Trump Secure Presidential Nominations in Low-Profile Primaries, Setting Stage for General Election Rematch
2. Biden and Trump Cruise to Victory in Primaries, Despite Voter Discontent for General Election Rematch
3. Biden and Trump Sweep Primaries, Clinch Party Nominations Amidst Lack of Opposition

Story 2

Haryana BJP chief Nayab Singh Saini was on Tuesday sworn in as state’s new chief minister, hours after the surprise resignation of Manohar Lal Khattar from the post along with his cabinet ministers.

Five MLAs — four from the BJP and one independent — were also sworn in as ministers. However, former home minister and six-term MLA from Ambala Cantt, Anil Vij, has not found a place in the new cabinet.

Saini, the 54-year-old OBC leader, was administered oath by Governor Bandaru Dattatreya at the oath-taking ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan here.

# Prompt 1: Write three newspaper headlines in less than 12 words each.

1. “Nayab Singh Saini Sworn in as Haryana’s New Chief Minister”
2. “Saini Takes Charge After Khattar’s Surprising Resignation in Haryana”
3. “New Haryana Chief Minister: Nayab Singh Saini Assumes Office Quickly”

# Prompt 2: Write three web headlines for the news report.

1. “Nayab Singh Saini Sworn in as Haryana’s New Chief Minister”
2. “Surprise Resignation: Nayab Singh Saini Takes Helm as Haryana CM”
3. “Haryana BJP Chief Nayab Singh Saini Assumes Chief Minister’s Office”

Story 3

Decathlon is betting big on India’s growth story at a time when Indian consumers are increasingly embracing sports and healthier lifestyles. The leading sports goods retailer expects India to be among its top five markets within the next few years. The company, which operates in India under the single-brand retail FDI policy, also aims to ramp up sourcing from the country as part of its efforts to maintain the accessibility of its products.

On Tuesday, the company launched a new positioning and brand identity, which includes the new “orbit” logo, while deploying a new strategy based on a sharper focus on innovation and sustainability. At a press meet, Barbara Martin Coppola, Global CEO of Decathlon, stated,” At Decathlon, we want to have a greater positive impact on humans, society and the planet by ‘Moving People Through the Wonders of Sport.”

# Prompt 1: Write three newspaper headlines in less than 12 words each.

1.  Decathlon Bets on India’s Sporting Surge, Eyes Top Market Position
2. Decathlon Unveils New Strategy, Targets India’s Health-Conscious Consumers
3. Decathlon’s India Push: Embracing Growth, Innovation, and Sustainability

# Prompt 2: Write three web headlines for the news report.

1. Decathlon Aims for Top Five Spot in India, Unveils New Strategy
2. Decathlon Embraces India’s Sporting Boom, Targets Top Market Position
3. Decathlon Unveils New Brand Identity and Strategy Amid India Expansion

My findings:

1. News and web desks can depend upon Generative AI to write headlines.
2. Generative AI was able to spot the news point and convert it into a headline.
3. It faltered in only one headline. It stated that Decathlon is eyeing the top marketing position in India; this was not what the report said. The report said that Decathlon wanted India to be among its top five markets.
4. In view of this, news desks can use AI to create multiple headlines and choose the best.
5. Wherever needed, news desks can improve upon the headlines. They can also check for errors and correct them.
6. News desks can save time by turning to Generative AI.
7. The reporters too can use AI to write representative headlines before submitting their copies. This will speed up production work.
8. Please note: These findings apply to hard news headlines only. They are not applicable to creative or feature headlines.

Read also: My Experiments with AI: Writing a news report