Ask FT: Financial Times’ AI-Powered Chatbot Revolutionizes News Engagement and Personalization
What is Ask FT chatbot?
The Financial Times (FT) has introduced a new generative AI chatbot called Ask FT, designed to answer questions from its subscribers using information from the outlet’s extensive archive of published articles. Although similar to generalized AI bots like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini, Ask FT sets itself apart by exclusively sourcing answers from decades of FT’s own content, ensuring reliable information and bypassing the legal ambiguities associated with external sources.
Ask FT can provide up-to-date responses on a broad range of topics, including recent events and general inquiries. For example, when asked about Microsoft’s AI leadership, the chatbot accurately identified Mustafa Suleyman as the head of Microsoft AI, citing recent FT articles as sources.
Currently available to a select group of paid subscribers within the FT Professional tier, Ask FT is powered by Claude, a large language model developed by Anthropic. However, the FT is open to using different models to meet its needs.
The chatbot’s ability to delve into the FT’s archives allows it to address complex historical queries. For instance, when asked about YouTube’s founders, Ask FT correctly identified them and provided the date of the company’s founding. This level of detail results from extensive internal testing and user feedback, helping the FT refine the chatbot’s performance.
The launch of Ask FT aligns with the Financial Times’ broader engagement with AI technology. Other AI initiatives include an AI chatbot trained on decades of FT articles and exploring AI’s potential in generating news stories. These developments underscore the growing interest and investment in AI across various sectors, highlighting its potential to enhance information access, drive efficiency, and address complex challenges.
The introduction of Ask FT represents a significant step forward for the Financial Times in leveraging AI technology to deliver value to its subscribers. By harnessing the power of AI, the FT aims to provide its readers with a more personalized and engaging experience, enabling them to access a wealth of information from its vast archive in a more efficient and intuitive manner.
As AI continues to play an increasingly prominent role in the media landscape, it is likely that other news outlets will follow the FT’s lead in adopting AI-driven solutions to better serve their audiences. This shift towards AI-powered news platforms has the potential to transform the way people consume and interact with news, offering more tailored and contextually relevant content.
However, the adoption of AI in the media industry also raises important ethical and practical questions. As AI systems become more sophisticated and pervasive, concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential spread of misinformation will need to be addressed. Media organizations and technology companies will need to work together to establish clear guidelines and best practices for the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
In conclusion, the launch of Ask FT signifies an exciting new chapter in the evolution of the Financial Times and the broader media landscape. As AI technology continues to advance, it will be essential for news outlets to strike a balance between leveraging its immense potential and addressing the challenges and ethical considerations that come with its adoption.
