1 verified, source-linked AI implementation documented in 2026.
UK SEO company Clickout Media acquired The Escapist, Videogamer and Esports Insider then fired up to 20 editorial staff in early 2026, replacing them with AI-generated content under misleading author profiles; AI-created author 'Brian Merrygold' posted reviews on Videogamer with an AI-generated profile headshot; Metacritic removed Videogamer's AI-written Resident Evil Requiem review after it appeared on the aggregator; former employees signed NDAs to receive severance; Videogamer subsequently completely removed from Google Search index after pivot to AI content; a skeleton crew of human 'AI Editors' maintained to oversee AI output; widely cited as a cautionary example of opaque AI displacement of journalism staff
Clickout Media (Videogamer / The Escapist / Esports Insider) is one of 43 organizations in United Kingdom documented in the index, which holds 139 cases from the country. Its work spans 1 function type, including Content Production & Automation, documented across 257 organizations worldwide.