Since 2022, the Weird Press Photo website has been compiling AI-created stories.
why
As more tasks are delegated to algorithms and AI's role expands across many fields, we're still grappling with the extent of this revolution. While it's impressive to see AI models score high marks on technical benchmarks like math tests or bar exams, we wondered: how might this wave of automation affect roles we consider profoundly human? What happens when machines attempt jobs that demand emotion, artistry, presence, and storytelling—like photojournalism? That's how the Weird Press Photo experiment was born.
AI photojournalism is still in its infancy. It's nearly impossible for AI agents to go into the field, take photos, or conduct interviews (or get punched). This experiment is more simulation than journalism, but the quality improves each year at an impressive pace, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
The AI discourse tends to swing between utopian technoptimism and doomsday scenarios, making nuanced conversation difficult. We hope this small design-fiction experiment helps spark thoughtful discussion about technology's evolving role in creative work.
Thank you for following us on this wild journey.
We recently published our 2025 State of AI Photojournalism report, in which we extensively discuss the latest projects updates, innovations, limitations, and upcoming challenges.
