Walla Tech Editor Departs, Citing AI Shift and Staff Cuts
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Yinon Ben Shushan, Walla's technology editor for five years, has left the company, citing a significant reduction in staff and a shift towards AI-generated content. He stated that the technology section will primarily rely on AI moving forward, reflecting a broader trend at Walla towards quantity over quality. Ben Shushan is launching a new website called Loading and increasing his social media presence.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Walla's technology editor Yinon Ben Shushan resigned after five years, citing staff cuts and a focus on AI content.
- Ben Shushan stated that the technology section will largely be managed by AI-generated content.
- He noted a significant staff reduction at Walla over the past year, impacting journalistic quality.
- The focus at Walla has shifted to quantity and clicks, with increased reliance on AI.
- Ben Shushan is launching a new content website called Loading and expanding his social media activity.
Yinon Ben Shushan, who served as the technology section editor for the Israeli news site Walla, has officially concluded his five-year tenure. In a Facebook post marking his last day, Ben Shushan expressed that the moment of official departure felt different, hinting at a less than smooth separation from the company. He stated that the technology section will largely be managed through AI-generated content going forward.
Ben Shushan noted a significant reduction in staff at Walla over the past year, with dozens of journalists and editors leaving. He believes this has led to a decline in journalistic quality and depth, with the focus shifting towards quantity and clicks, increasingly relying on AI-generated material. This trend, he indicated, is also the projected future for the technology section he co-led with technology reporter Niv Lilin.
Looking ahead, Ben Shushan is embarking on an independent path, planning to increase content output on social media. He also announced the upcoming launch of his new content website, Loading, with television appearances planned as well. Ben Shushan concluded his post by stating, "I have finished a significant chapter, but I am not stopping at all."