AI will NEVER replace the on-the-ground reporter. AI will, however, replace the need for the average person to think, research, and do the things for which humans are currently being paid to do. I know it was "Only A Movie", but Terminator had some valid lessons, and no one seems to have taken any one of them seriously. I refuse to use anything that throws AI in my face... I'm an old-school reporter with an inquiring mind, and the wherewithal to do my own research. There are very few reporters that I trust... Dan Rather, Steve Rosenberg (BBC), Rachel Maddow (MSNBC), Jeremy Bowen (BBC), and Tim Mak, plus those who are working the front lines in Ukraine with the barest minimums of protection. When AI starts to replace the objective reporter, the news will no longer have meaning.
i am scared to death of it all. Not being able to believe what we read seems to be among the worst things that could happen... right up there with rising, warming seas, catastrophic weather, and the death of democracy.
I have been a subscriber for six months, and tremendously value the insight you and your team provide the reader.
Your employee are well treated and valued ie maternity leave etc. These benefits should be illustrated more effectively to demonstrate the TRUE COSTS to run the counter offensive
I have also used the tip jar when I have been emotionally impacted by the topic. Keep up the fabulous work
To my fellow readers: I like that Tim doesn’t constantly hit us up for money. I have cancelled subscriptions that ask for support more than once each post!! … and even that has taken time to accept!
WE readers owe it to these thoughtful writers to financially recognize their work
I recognize that SubStack feels like a never ending wallet drain. I myself have had to curtail the number of paid subscriptions due to the cost.
WE can use the TIP JAR🫶🏻 to maintain sustain this fabulous team
I have been a very satisfied subscriber. Your substack is an outstanding source for what is happening in Ukraine. I am very perplexed by the small number of paid subscribers. This is outstanding journalism. I have no marketing skills and all I know is that you need an excellent product. You definitely have that. Best of luck and stay safe !
Excellent article - and precisely why investigative journalism will survive.
I have supported you when I could. Amazingly, and to your great credit, You have supported me here, and for that I'm greatly appreciative. Should my circumstances change, yours will be the first publication I directly support again.
Should you return to Toronto, I would be honored to shake yiur hand, and offer yiu a Nanimo bar & some poutine as my token of friendship!
I've been a fan of Tim Mak since his years at National Public Radio. I was edified by his book about the National Rifle Association.
I subscribed to The Counteroffensive immediately after arriving at Substack. It was my first paid subscription here. I am grateful that Mak and other brave writers bring us timely fact-based journalism about the calamitous war in Ukraine.
Hi Tim, I’ve been a paid subscriber for a long time now. Your reporters are very deserving of all the accolades we give them. I feel as if I know some of them, too! When I’ve written comments to a reporter, and then they’ve responded, it’s very exciting to me. That’s real dedication!
I feel as if these journalists are not only dedicated professionals, but real human beings living in a dangerous environment, with the very real possibility of serious injury at any time. I truly care about the wellbeing of each reporter, as if they are my own children. This Substack is one of my favorites, mainly because there is none other like it.
It’s hard for me to comprehend readers who aren’t paid! This newsletter is unique! I hope more people recognize that!
Mr. Mak, I have been a subscriber since you started this newsletter. I think currently news reporting is in a state of flux. The owners of the major media are unwilling to publish or pursue stories that the administration or the media's owners don't like. I have read that this is called 'enshittification' That leaves an opening for news operations like your own. I am retired and have the means and time to support this newsletter and some others, most people don't. Unregulated AI has to ability to suck your reports and others up and rewrite them to suit ownership and publish in large media. I don't know where this will end, and don't like where it is headed. Please keep doing what you are doing to actually inform.
Retired journalist here, and I'm trying to persuade my grandkids to ignore "influencers." That's just a new term for a flack or salesperson who will say anything for money. True influencers are the on-the-ground journalists, and they always have been: Dan Rather in Vietnam which got Americans to change the official policy on the war, and now more coverage on the genocide in Gaza getting more politicians to rethink their support of Netanyahu (not Israel, people, just that crooked leader).
AI has its merits, especially in medical fields, and who doesn't love babies, kittens and puppies replacing politicians. But the false news clips are extremely frightening and I hope it can be called out every time.But we all are in dangerous times, so I ain't giving up on the Counteroffensive and other true reporters to keep recording current events and accurate documentation for history.
AI will never replace real journalism. Social media and influencers offering opinions are bad enough, but AI will just create even more hallucinations and misinformation. Thank you for practicing real journalism. We owe it to you and I am proud to be a paid subscriber.
I've been a subscriber for over a year, and it's been worth every penny. I particularly like the fact that you have gathered a crew of young Ukrainian journalists around you and are teaching them the craft.
I appreciate the breadth of your reporting. A commenter on Prof. Phillips O'Brien's Substack recently said that the reports of the reaction of the Ukrainian populace to the hobbling of the anti-corruption agencies of the government were the first reporting on life inside wartime Ukrainian society that he'd seen. I suggested that he visit The Counteroffensive for reports on Ukrainian culture and civilian life.
Regarding AI and writing: Although I've been retired from teaching high school level industrial technology, which included technical writing, for several years now, I've been teaching my twin granddaughters writing for the past five years as part of their homeschooling; they are now fifteen. We have debated the use of spell/grammar checkers (which increasingly make use of AI). Their opinion of using AI to write a paper is that it is cheating, although both use spell-check.
For my own writing, I frequently ignore the suggestions for rephrasing changes. I feel that it can homogenize language to the point where the author's "voice" is lost, and loses some of the richness of expression. It's a useful tool, but shouldn't be leaned on too much
Y'all keep up the good work. The 97% of freeriders here should be ashamed of yourselves.
AI is an important tool. It simplifies research and helps analyze vast amounts of data much faster than I can. So what I have to do is find things it cannot do - can never do - if I want to keep being a journalist
If employers believe that they can get "good enough" work out of an LLM product rather than an "expensive" human employee, that employee can look forward to their job disappearing in short order.
I feel confident in stating the above, given the evidence related to offshoring jobs from western countries.
Some of us want observations and writing that has depth to it, AI will never credibly offer that, so us weirdo's will not buy it.
That said, many just don't care and AI will serve them all the skewed crap they can eat, so it's really not a good outlook as us weirdo's are outnumbered vastly by the drones who don't care.
AI is a big problem methinks.
However, I repair medieval and Tudor timber buildings for a living and AI will likely never tread on my (steel toe-capped) toes but it can go fuck itself anyway
I’m glad to pay for your excellent journalism! My livelihood is not threatened by AI, but journalism certainly is. So is accuracy. One major metro daily put out a best books of the summer list using AI and half of them weren’t actually in existence. I’m talking a list of the best books to take to the beach or read in your cozy chair during your vacation. At least some of them were invented by AI algorithms and don’t actually exist for your reading pleasure.
I don’t trust AI to bring me complete and accurate information about any subject that matters to me.
I am a subscribed reader. And I am with you 100 per cent on your arguments. I don’t know if you have the time, space, or safety to perhaps mix in some video interviews with your reporters. Or include some More visual showing of the how and what you are doing, as you described here. words “travel” me right into the heart of a piece where I live and breathe for the duration of the read, and even afterwards. But others on Substack like that live connection with the writers. But again, you’re in the thick of reporting war so don’t know if you have access to consistent places from which to broadcast from.
What an interesting concept, Tim! I’m in. Just subscribed for the year. Thanks so much for what you are doing!
Thank you Christine! Really glad to have you with us.
AI will NEVER replace the on-the-ground reporter. AI will, however, replace the need for the average person to think, research, and do the things for which humans are currently being paid to do. I know it was "Only A Movie", but Terminator had some valid lessons, and no one seems to have taken any one of them seriously. I refuse to use anything that throws AI in my face... I'm an old-school reporter with an inquiring mind, and the wherewithal to do my own research. There are very few reporters that I trust... Dan Rather, Steve Rosenberg (BBC), Rachel Maddow (MSNBC), Jeremy Bowen (BBC), and Tim Mak, plus those who are working the front lines in Ukraine with the barest minimums of protection. When AI starts to replace the objective reporter, the news will no longer have meaning.
I’ve started seeing AI-style work all over the place, and it worries me!
i am scared to death of it all. Not being able to believe what we read seems to be among the worst things that could happen... right up there with rising, warming seas, catastrophic weather, and the death of democracy.
I have been a subscriber for six months, and tremendously value the insight you and your team provide the reader.
Your employee are well treated and valued ie maternity leave etc. These benefits should be illustrated more effectively to demonstrate the TRUE COSTS to run the counter offensive
I have also used the tip jar when I have been emotionally impacted by the topic. Keep up the fabulous work
To my fellow readers: I like that Tim doesn’t constantly hit us up for money. I have cancelled subscriptions that ask for support more than once each post!! … and even that has taken time to accept!
WE readers owe it to these thoughtful writers to financially recognize their work
I recognize that SubStack feels like a never ending wallet drain. I myself have had to curtail the number of paid subscriptions due to the cost.
WE can use the TIP JAR🫶🏻 to maintain sustain this fabulous team
🙏🇺🇸☘️🇨🇦
Be safe❤️
I have been a very satisfied subscriber. Your substack is an outstanding source for what is happening in Ukraine. I am very perplexed by the small number of paid subscribers. This is outstanding journalism. I have no marketing skills and all I know is that you need an excellent product. You definitely have that. Best of luck and stay safe !
Thank you Tim.
Excellent article - and precisely why investigative journalism will survive.
I have supported you when I could. Amazingly, and to your great credit, You have supported me here, and for that I'm greatly appreciative. Should my circumstances change, yours will be the first publication I directly support again.
Should you return to Toronto, I would be honored to shake yiur hand, and offer yiu a Nanimo bar & some poutine as my token of friendship!
Sincerely,
Tom
And some cheezits? ;) great to see you here Tom.
Darn right! A big box full - Elbows Up cheesy Canadian 🇨🇦 without being Putin on the Ritz 🍪
I've been a fan of Tim Mak since his years at National Public Radio. I was edified by his book about the National Rifle Association.
I subscribed to The Counteroffensive immediately after arriving at Substack. It was my first paid subscription here. I am grateful that Mak and other brave writers bring us timely fact-based journalism about the calamitous war in Ukraine.
Real reporters matter. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸
Hi Tim, I’ve been a paid subscriber for a long time now. Your reporters are very deserving of all the accolades we give them. I feel as if I know some of them, too! When I’ve written comments to a reporter, and then they’ve responded, it’s very exciting to me. That’s real dedication!
I feel as if these journalists are not only dedicated professionals, but real human beings living in a dangerous environment, with the very real possibility of serious injury at any time. I truly care about the wellbeing of each reporter, as if they are my own children. This Substack is one of my favorites, mainly because there is none other like it.
It’s hard for me to comprehend readers who aren’t paid! This newsletter is unique! I hope more people recognize that!
Thank you so much for the kind words, and I know our team appreciates your readership and feedback! I hope others will also chip in!
Mr. Mak, I have been a subscriber since you started this newsletter. I think currently news reporting is in a state of flux. The owners of the major media are unwilling to publish or pursue stories that the administration or the media's owners don't like. I have read that this is called 'enshittification' That leaves an opening for news operations like your own. I am retired and have the means and time to support this newsletter and some others, most people don't. Unregulated AI has to ability to suck your reports and others up and rewrite them to suit ownership and publish in large media. I don't know where this will end, and don't like where it is headed. Please keep doing what you are doing to actually inform.
I suspect that I will have to put more behind a paywall, otherwise I imagine our unique work will be sucked up and use elsewhere for “enshitification”
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Often commenting on substack and elsewhere is like shouting into the void.
Retired journalist here, and I'm trying to persuade my grandkids to ignore "influencers." That's just a new term for a flack or salesperson who will say anything for money. True influencers are the on-the-ground journalists, and they always have been: Dan Rather in Vietnam which got Americans to change the official policy on the war, and now more coverage on the genocide in Gaza getting more politicians to rethink their support of Netanyahu (not Israel, people, just that crooked leader).
AI has its merits, especially in medical fields, and who doesn't love babies, kittens and puppies replacing politicians. But the false news clips are extremely frightening and I hope it can be called out every time.But we all are in dangerous times, so I ain't giving up on the Counteroffensive and other true reporters to keep recording current events and accurate documentation for history.
AI will never replace real journalism. Social media and influencers offering opinions are bad enough, but AI will just create even more hallucinations and misinformation. Thank you for practicing real journalism. We owe it to you and I am proud to be a paid subscriber.
Thank you so much Tai!
Howdy Tim and crew,
I've been a subscriber for over a year, and it's been worth every penny. I particularly like the fact that you have gathered a crew of young Ukrainian journalists around you and are teaching them the craft.
I appreciate the breadth of your reporting. A commenter on Prof. Phillips O'Brien's Substack recently said that the reports of the reaction of the Ukrainian populace to the hobbling of the anti-corruption agencies of the government were the first reporting on life inside wartime Ukrainian society that he'd seen. I suggested that he visit The Counteroffensive for reports on Ukrainian culture and civilian life.
Regarding AI and writing: Although I've been retired from teaching high school level industrial technology, which included technical writing, for several years now, I've been teaching my twin granddaughters writing for the past five years as part of their homeschooling; they are now fifteen. We have debated the use of spell/grammar checkers (which increasingly make use of AI). Their opinion of using AI to write a paper is that it is cheating, although both use spell-check.
For my own writing, I frequently ignore the suggestions for rephrasing changes. I feel that it can homogenize language to the point where the author's "voice" is lost, and loses some of the richness of expression. It's a useful tool, but shouldn't be leaned on too much
Y'all keep up the good work. The 97% of freeriders here should be ashamed of yourselves.
AI is an important tool. It simplifies research and helps analyze vast amounts of data much faster than I can. So what I have to do is find things it cannot do - can never do - if I want to keep being a journalist
If employers believe that they can get "good enough" work out of an LLM product rather than an "expensive" human employee, that employee can look forward to their job disappearing in short order.
I feel confident in stating the above, given the evidence related to offshoring jobs from western countries.
Some of us want observations and writing that has depth to it, AI will never credibly offer that, so us weirdo's will not buy it.
That said, many just don't care and AI will serve them all the skewed crap they can eat, so it's really not a good outlook as us weirdo's are outnumbered vastly by the drones who don't care.
AI is a big problem methinks.
However, I repair medieval and Tudor timber buildings for a living and AI will likely never tread on my (steel toe-capped) toes but it can go fuck itself anyway
I think you're among the top five jobs LEAST likely to be lost to AI
I’m glad to pay for your excellent journalism! My livelihood is not threatened by AI, but journalism certainly is. So is accuracy. One major metro daily put out a best books of the summer list using AI and half of them weren’t actually in existence. I’m talking a list of the best books to take to the beach or read in your cozy chair during your vacation. At least some of them were invented by AI algorithms and don’t actually exist for your reading pleasure.
I don’t trust AI to bring me complete and accurate information about any subject that matters to me.
This comment by Stephen Hawking haunts me: The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race."
I am a subscribed reader. And I am with you 100 per cent on your arguments. I don’t know if you have the time, space, or safety to perhaps mix in some video interviews with your reporters. Or include some More visual showing of the how and what you are doing, as you described here. words “travel” me right into the heart of a piece where I live and breathe for the duration of the read, and even afterwards. But others on Substack like that live connection with the writers. But again, you’re in the thick of reporting war so don’t know if you have access to consistent places from which to broadcast from.
I’ll keep that in mind and we will try to do more of this!