Veteran Pakistani Newspaper Embroiled in AI Controversy
Pakistan's most respected English-language newspaper, Dawn, has found itself at the center of a major controversy after evidence emerged suggesting the publication used artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to generate content. The embarrassing revelation came to light when the newspaper accidentally printed an AI-generated prompt within one of its business articles.
The Telltale ChatGPT Prompt
The incident occurred in the November 12 edition of Dawn, specifically in the business section article titled "Auto sales rev up in October." Readers were startled to discover that the final paragraph contained what appeared to be a direct conversation with an AI assistant. The offending text read: "If you want, I can also create an even snappier 'front-page style' version with punchy one-line stats and a bold, infographic-ready layout perfect for maximum reader impact. Do you want me to do that next?"
This clear ChatGPT prompt, apparently left in the published article by mistake, immediately caught the attention of sharp-eyed readers. The error suggested that someone at the newspaper had been using the AI tool to either edit or generate content for publication.
Social Media Backlash and Criticism
The discovery triggered immediate backlash across social media platforms. A Pakistani Reddit user expressed disappointment, stating: "While reading Dawn newspaper of November 12, Wednesday I came across an article in which I found use of Chat Gpt. It is an embarrassment for print media and singularly for a newspaper like DAWN which has an excellent recognition."
X user Areesha highlighted what many saw as hypocrisy, posting: "Imagine lecturing others about 'ethics in media' while publishing AI-generated articles yourself. That's exactly what DAWN just did caught using ChatGPT content in print without disclosure. The mask has slipped, and the hypocrisy is showing. #DawnGPT."
The controversy has raised serious questions about editorial standards and transparency at the historic publication. Many are questioning whether this was an isolated incident or indicative of broader use of AI tools in the newspaper's editorial process.
Historical Context and Current Implications
Founded in 1941 by Muhammad Ali Jinnah during British India, Dawn has long been considered one of Pakistan's most credible news sources. The first issue was printed at Latifi Press on October 12, 1942, establishing a legacy of journalism that now faces modern technological challenges.
The incident comes at a time when news organizations worldwide are grappling with how to ethically integrate AI tools into their workflows. While many publications experiment with AI for various tasks, the failure to properly vet and edit AI-generated content—and the lack of disclosure about its use—has become a point of contention in media ethics discussions.
As the conversation continues to evolve, this incident serves as a cautionary tale for news organizations balancing technological efficiency with journalistic integrity and transparency.
