In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we access information, the Financial Times (FT) has taken a significant step forward. Introducing ‘Ask FT', a generative AI chatbot designed to serve its subscribers with knowledge from decades of the outlet's published articles. This cutting-edge tool aims to provide users with precise, natural language answers to their queries, leveraging the outlet's extensive archive as its source.
A tailored approach to information
Unlike general AI bots such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini, ‘Ask FT' offers answers based exclusively on the FT's content, ensuring a more refined and reliable source of information. For example, when inquired about the leadership of Microsoft's AI division, the chatbot promptly delivered a current answer, highlighting the recent appointment of DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman. It even cited specific FT articles as sources, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date response.
However, the tool is not without its flaws. Some answers have shown inconsistencies, such as incorrectly including Nikki Haley as a contender in the 2024 US presidential race despite her withdrawal. Despite these hiccups, the potential of ‘Ask FT' is undeniable. It offers insights on a range of topics, from current events to more in-depth explorations into the FT's historical archives.
Behind the scenes with ‘Ask FT'
Currently, the chatbot is available to a select group of FT Professional tier subscribers, catering to business professionals and institutions. Powered by Claude, the large language model developed by Anthropic, ‘Ask FT' stands as a testament to the FT's model-agnostic approach, focusing on finding the best fit for their needs.
From answering questions on cryptocurrency's environmental impact to YouTube's origins, ‘Ask FT' navigates the FT's archives to summarise pertinent information. This initiative is part of the outlet's broader evolving strategy, ensuring its relevance in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Continuous evolution and prospects
The introduction of ‘Ask FT' is just the latest in the FT's ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt. By closely monitoring user feedback and responses, the FT is refining the chatbot's capabilities, ensuring it meets the high standards expected by its subscribers. While still in beta, the future of ‘Ask FT' looks promising, potentially setting a new standard for how news outlets engage with their audience in the digital age.
In conclusion, the Financial Times is embracing the potential of AI with ‘Ask FT', a tool that not only enhances the subscriber experience but also demonstrates the outlet's commitment to innovation. As AI continues to transform the media landscape, ‘Ask FT' may well represent the future of personalised, reliable news consumption.
