AI to Replace Jobs at Europe’s Top-Selling Newspaper

BERLIN – Springer Group, the publisher of Europe’s top-selling newspaper, Bild, will implement a cost-cutting program of €100 million, resulting in approximately 200 job cuts. The news was first reported by the rival newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine which obtained an internal email sent to Bild employees and signed by four of Bild’s top executives.

According to the report, the staff reduction is partly blamed on Bild’s regional drawdowns of its newspaper business. Frankfurter Allgemeine said, “A three-digit number of regional editions will fall from eighteen to twelve, smaller locations will be closed completely, and the management level will be thinned out.” 

It also warned staff about the potential impact of AI on editorial operations. Frankfurter Allgemeine reports that the email indicates, “Artificial intelligence is [already] used for numerous tasks in the editorial office. From January 1, 2024, the strategy ‘digital only’ or ‘first digital, then print’ will apply to the Springer Group;” furthermore, Bild would be parting ways with employees whose tasks can be performed by artificial intelligence (AI) and automated processes.