'Dilution of truth': News Corp's Michael Miller sounds alarm about AI

News Corp Australasia Executive Chairman Michael Miller delivered a significant speech on September 22, 2026, at Sydney's Macquarie University, with warnings about the development of AI and journalism.

“AI is a classic double-edged sword. On one hand, it has the power to democratise information, fast-track life-changing medical research, and free our workforce from repetitive tasks. But on the flip side, it scales disinformation, blurs fact from fabrication, and takes advantage of the way we think,” he said.

Miller's speech focused on the "dilution of truth" in journalism, enabled by AI.

"Without proper guardrails, verified research and journalism are replaced by algorithmically generated simulations, superficial summaries, and hallucinations.

"A world where "the truth" is getting harder to decipher."

He warned, “Unvetted, AI systems lack respect for these very foundations” of true reporting. 

“Left unchecked, AI can dilute and distort facts at a rate the truth has never had to withstand.”

Algorithms "favour paying adverisers"

The chairman also slammed the progression of algorithms.

“Algorithms were built to identify human insecurities, favouring paying advertisers over the public good, pitching instant gratification directly with the users most emotionally exposed,” he said.

Miller referenced Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams, who exposed the reality of algorithms, and how they exploited users. He also noted the big minds in AI who have recently spoken out about its major problems.

“OpenAI's chief scientist Jakub Pachocki has warned that future AI won't hesitate to deceive, bargain with, even blackmail humans to reach its goals.”

Miller went further with his warnings about the online reliance on AI for information.

"No sourcing. No doubt. Nothing left for you to check.That confidence is the trap. AI cannot tell the difference between a fact it has verified and a fact it has invented, but it delivers both in exactly the same confident tone."

"It inflates our feeling of "being smart," while quietly keeping us ignorant of the actual facts."

Miller used the recent story of the Sydney Swans sexual assault allegations as an example of the use of AI to create fake news.

“When five Sydney Swans players were stood down recently over an incident at a Melbourne hotel, social platforms were flooded with fake claims, fabricated photos, false arrest reports.As the community searched for the truth, our audiences surged. When readers needed the facts, they came back to trusted media.”

What needs to be done about AI

“Finally, we are backing clear government policy to ensure there is a fair playing field,” Miller said. 

"Australia has already shown international leadership in establishing rules for digital platforms, through the News Media Bargaining Incentive legislation and its predecessor, along with the under-16s social media ban.

"The Prime Minister has set up a dedicated AI office and is introducing a digital duty of care framework that will let people opt out of the algorithms that currently chooses what they see.

"SA Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced an AI royal commission. The Federal Parliament has stood up a joint select committee into AI.

“These are all positive steps, but policymakers must stay focused on long-term protections for original content and human research. Big Tech must maintain a social licence to operate in Australia.They must respect copyright, follow Australian law, and contribute positively to thesociety from which they draw value.”