Dawn apologises after AI‑edited print report sparks social media backlash

ISLAMABAD: Dawn, one of Pakistan’s oldest and most trusted newspapers, has publicly apologised after the newspaper published a print‑edition report that was edited using artificial intelligence, in apparent violation of its own AI policy.

In the digital version of the article (on Dawn.com), the editor’s stated: “This report published in today’s Dawn was originally edited using AI, which is in violation of our current AI policy. … The original report also carried AI‑generated artefact text … The matter is being investigated, and the violation of AI policy is regretted.”

According to the editor’s note, the article had been processed with AI tools despite the newspaper’s published AI policy, which the editor said can be reviewed on Dawn’s website.

The print edition carried visible remnants of AI‑generated “artefact text” from the editing process.

These artefacts were removed from the digital version, but the print version had already been distributed across Pakistan.

Dawn’s status as a credible outlet — rooted in its founding by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and long‑standing journalistic tradition — added to the significance of the misstep. The mast‑head of the newspaper still carries the emblem of Jinnah, symbolising its legacy.

While Dawn has not published the full details of its internal investigation, the editor’s note confirms that the matter is under review.

Images of the print edition were widely circulated on social media, with many users mocking Dawn for the lapse. The incident sparked a flurry of reactions, with users questioning why the newspaper’s editorial team relied on AI for editing instead of producing content themselves. Some expressed concern that AI tools like ChatGPT are gradually replacing traditional writers, while others debated whether the newspaper still remains a credible source for CSS aspirants preparing for competitive exams.