‘Did ChatGPT Write This Too?’: Internet Ridicules Dawn For Using AI Reply In Report

Pakistan's renowned English newspaper, Dawn, founded by Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1941, recently found itself at the centre of online discussions. The buzz began when an AI-generated response was mistakenly included in one of its reports. This error has led to widespread ridicule, with many questioning the newspaper's ethics and professionalism.

media users have been quick to critic Dawn for this oversight. One Reddit user from Pakistan expressed disappointment, noting that it was embarrassing for a reputable publication like Dawn to rely on AI tools such as ChatGPT. Another Instagram user humorously remarked that they believed every line in the paper was AI-generated except for the phrase "Boys played well."

AI Error Sparks Online Backlash

The report in question, titled "Auto sales rev up in October" by journalist Aamir Shafaat Khan, appeared normal until readers reached the final paragraph. Here, an out-of-context chatbot response was printed: "If you want, I can also create an even snappier 'front-page style' version with punchy one-line stats and a bold, infographic-ready layout perfect for maximum reader impact. Do you want me to do that next?"

This incident has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media platforms. Users have mocked Dawn for using AI without proper oversight. Milind Khandekar commented on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting how the AI prompt got printed due to copy-paste errors and urged using AI responsibly.

Dawn's Response to the Incident

The backlash reached Dawn's editorial team, prompting them to correct the mistake in their online edition. An Editor's note now accompanies the digital version of the report: "This report published in today's Dawn was originally edited using AI, which is in violation of our current AI policy." The note further mentions that an internal investigation is underway and expresses regret over breaching company policy.

LinkedIn users also weighed in on the situation. Some speculated that budget cuts might be affecting Dawn's operations but stressed that journalists must remain vigilant watchdogs, especially with AI becoming more prevalent. A journalist based in Pakistan described this incident as a sign of journalism's decline.

Public Reaction and Ethical Concerns

Many individuals have taken to social media platforms to voice their opinions about this mishap. One post on Instagram read: "Even the most trusted sources can slip. Dawn, Pakistan's leading newspaper, was caught using ChatGPT despite its strict AI policy." Another user criticised Dawn for lecturing others about media ethics while publishing AI-generated content without disclosure.

The incident has raised questions about ethical journalism practices and reliance on technology. Critics argue that while AI can assist in content creation, human oversight remains crucial to maintain credibility and accuracy.

This article was initially uploaded on November 13th, 2025 at 6:30 PM.