SmartNews, the AI-driven news aggregator, has launched a new app that aims to give readers a more thoughtful and less polarised way to follow the news.
Called NewsArc, the app uses AI to surface long-form journalism and in-depth reporting on complex topics in a deliberate counter to the fast-paced content that dominates many digital platforms.
Rather than optimise for clicks or scrolling time, NewsArc is designed to encourage slower, more focused reading sessions. The company says it wants to create a shared news experience grounded in “discovering the whole story.”
NewsArc is positioned as a companion to SmartNews’s flagship app, which has more than 10 million monthly active users.
SmartNews’s chief technology officer described the app as being for readers who “value serious, independent journalism,” and contrasted it with platforms that rely on outrage or novelty to capture attention. The company’s CEO said the project represents a fusion of editorial judgment and machine learning, and is intended to transform how people engage with the news.
SmartNews has built a reputation for using AI to diversify users’ news exposure and combat misinformation. It sources stories from more than 3,000 publishers and has developed tools to reduce political bias. However, it has also faced turbulence, including layoffs and executive turnover in 2023, even as US usage reportedly grew 200 percent year-on-year.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release issued by SmartNews on August 5, 2025, announcing the launch of NewsArc. This is the earliest known publication date for this information, indicating high freshness. The press release is available on Business Wire.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from SmartNews executives in the narrative are unique to this press release, with no earlier matches found online. This suggests the content is original and exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, SmartNews, a global leader in news aggregation and AI-driven content curation. The press release is hosted on Business Wire, a well-established press release distribution service.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and consistent with SmartNews’s previous initiatives, such as their efforts to combat misinformation and political bias through advanced machine learning and diversification algorithms. The launch of NewsArc aligns with their mission to redefine news engagement using AI.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is a fresh, original press release from a reputable organisation, SmartNews, announcing the launch of NewsArc. The content is consistent with the company’s mission and previous initiatives, and the quotes are unique to this release, indicating high credibility.
