SMH, The Age Remove AI-Assisted Op-Ed, Ban Undisclosed AI in Future Articles
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 8
SMH, The Age Remove AI-Assisted Op-Ed, Ban Undisclosed AI in Future Articles
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 8
Summary
SMH and The Age took down an opinion piece by Western Sydney University pro vice-chancellor Cath Ellis after readers flagged AI-style phrasing and the paper learned Copilot had helped produce early drafts.
The mastheads said future new contributors will have to guarantee AI was not used to write or construct their articles, tightening disclosure rules amid a widening authorship debate.
Ellis defended the article as written “with” AI rather than “by” AI, while the university said the tool was used for drafting, structure and language refinement and called that use appropriate.
The dispute grew out of a broader argument over AI in higher education after an earlier op-ed warned students were overusing chatbots, raising concerns about graduates lacking core professional skills.
The episode adds pressure on universities and publishers to set specific, enforceable limits on AI use rather than broad principles as generative tools spread faster than formal policy.
If academic leaders use AI for writing, what are the real plagiarism rules for students?
Can 'human-written' labels restore trust, or is the line between author and AI gone forever?
With the US and China split on AI copyright, who will ultimately own AI-generated creative works?
Undisclosed AI Authorship in Media: The 2026 Sydney Morning Herald Incident and the Urgent Need for Transparency Standards
Overview
In late May 2026, Professor Cath Ellis published an opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, urging students not to use artificial intelligence in their studies. Academics noticed the article's language resembled AI-generated text, and AI detection tools confirmed it was created with Microsoft Copilot. This revelation raised immediate concerns about journalistic integrity and transparency in AI use. In response, Nine Entertainment Co., the parent company of the newspapers, swiftly removed the article and launched an investigation. The incident highlights the growing challenges of managing AI in media and the importance of clear disclosure and ethical standards.