Interview Reflections: Anaïs Pérez Figueras on AI, Journalism, and Google’s Digital Ethics

Anaïs Pérez Figueras, the Communications and Public Affairs Director for Google Spain and Portugal, was one of the speakers at Formentera20, a digital-environment forum beginning this Thursday. She would sit down for a discussion with María Jesús Espinosa de los Monteros, the General Director of Prisa Audio, about the podcast world and the role of corporate communication with users, journalists, society, and governments.

For this interview, a test was conducted using Gemini, Google’s AI chatbot, to craft it. The request was simple: prepare a journalistic interview with Anaïs Pérez Figueras. The response claimed there was not enough information about the person to answer the request. A second attempt posed the task more generally, asking for an interview with the Communications and Public Affairs Director for Spain and Portugal without naming the individual. The system quickly produced a title identifying Anaïs Pérez Figueras, suggesting it had enough information to connect the dots. It felt reminiscent of Schrödinger’s cat: Gemini can know and not know the person at once.

Gemini serves as a tool for inspiration and creativity, but it is not all-powerful. The team works to make it more useful every day. As a technology, Gemini isn’t flawless. When confronted with precise questions, a small “G” button was recently added, guiding users directly to Google’s search engine. Gemini is not designed to supply definitive answers in every case; it assists with ideation and broader thinking.

In one instance, Gemini produced an entire interview, including questions and even answers attributed to the interviewee or their avatar. It even featured a laudatory lead that the real person might not have written better: “Across her career, she has been pivotal in bringing Google closer to the media and in building a solid regional reputation for the company.” The author wondered if the avatar had been trained.

She admits she does not possess a personal Wikipedia article; some people chase such pages, while others do not. She has not trained Gemini to imitate her voice. She is glad the tool exists, but she would still be interested in reading independent articles to verify information when possible.

“We will never develop tools that replace anyone’s work.”

Discussions about AI myths will continue later. The journalist considered asking whether AI could replace journalists, but after reviewing Gemini’s output, it seems possible in theory. Yet readers would likely tire of such a shift. The human element remains essential.

She does not expect AI to substitute journalists. Journalism is a craft, while AI is a tool. AI introduces challenges across professions, not just journalism. It opens many possibilities and presents significant hurdles. In journalism, two key areas stand out. In writing, AI can assist reporters and other professionals with tasks such as analyzing large data sets, spotting patterns, and identifying trends. In newsrooms, more journalists rely on AI-driven data patterns to shape stories or even generate information. The volume of data would be impractical to analyze unaided. AI serves as a content-creation aid, offering fresh angles and perspectives that might not have been considered. The final judgment rests with the journalist, who applies context, emotion, and editorial judgment.

Regarding another aspect that affects journalism, the role of AI in business matters is also important. AI can help with straightforward tasks like crafting campaigns and designing scalable subscription models to reach wider audiences. It can streamline workflows across production, creation, and administration, and support product development aligned with audience needs. The AI is a facilitator, not a replacement. Even the possibility of AI taking key decisions in leadership discussions would be irrational. The sensible stance is to coexist with technology, just as has been done for decades.

There has been talk about a news outlet reporting that Google signed agreements with smaller publishers to publish AI-generated articles. The company has stated that no such arrangements exist. The aim has always been to help media organizations by improving access to high-quality journalism and by developing tools that support sustainable business models, such as Google’s subscription initiatives, and by improving editorial training. The objective is to assist journalists in doing their work more efficiently and with greater impact, not to replace them.

The topic of search algorithm changes often arises from publishers concerned about audience drops. The response is that Google updates its algorithms to better meet user needs and improve experience. Hundreds of changes can occur each year, aiming to reflect how people actually search and browse. For example, mobile page speed was prioritized long ago because search habits shifted to people using mobile devices on the go. Changes are implemented to improve user experience and navigability, with transparency for developers and publishers so they can adapt their content accordingly.

Returning to Gemini, how does Google view its role in the digital era, and what steps are being taken to ensure responsible use of technology? One answer highlighted was the commitment to combat misinformation through critical thinking and fact-checking. Did the avatar share that view?

The platform has a longstanding history with AI. It is not a new frontier; AI tools have been integrated into Google products for many years. The company has pioneered responsible AI use, guided by ethical principles created as far back as 2018. These principles emphasize user safety and benefits while mitigating potential misuse. It is understood that AI development is a long-term undertaking, and innovations may arrive later but with stronger, more durable value.

“AI hallucinations are part of the technology’s development limits.”

Past curiosities about AI often yielded surprising claims, but Gemini is explicit about its limitations. It is a creative aid rather than a source of precise factual information. Users should verify facts with reliable sources. The goal is to support thinking, not to serve as the sole truth. The field is advancing, and tools now exist to help users identify whether images were generated by AI.

“When I’m not communicating, I’m paragliding” is a line from the interviewee’s bio. Is that a truth or a whim? It is true for a period of time. She took up paragliding for seven years, taking a break after becoming a mother two years ago to prioritize family.

What music does she listen to on YouTube, which is essentially Google’s home? She enjoys flamenco, pop, and rock but avoids heavy metal. She also plays the saxophone and has long been a fan of live music.

Does she ever use a search engine other than Google when no one is watching? She has always used Google and has occasionally tried Bing, though rarely. The company trend remains open to evaluating other products and services to understand their capabilities.

If asked about choosing a name, Anaïs shares the origin of her first name. Her mother proposed Anaïs if the child was a girl because of the era and her mother’s reading. If a boy had been born, her father favored Alejandro, perhaps inspired by Dumas, underscoring a family love of literature. The couple remains fond of reading to this day.