Joanna Stern on the New Siri, OpenAI’s Weird Gadget, and Life After the Wall Street Journal
Summary
Peter Kafka interviews Joanna Stern about her new independent media venture, New Things, and her book on living with AI. They discuss the limitations of robotics, the public backlash against AI, and OpenAI’s upcoming screenless hardware. Stern also reviews Apple’s improved Siri and explains her strategy for producing high-quality video content.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Odoo and Amazon Prime
Intro: Greg Brockman's laptop disgust and Joanna Stern's new venture
Joanna Stern's transition to indie media and video focus
AI experiments: Robot masseuses and the struggle of folding laundry
The economics of AI data collection and home cleaning services
AI backlash, generational fears, and teenage attitudes
OpenAI's screenless device and the debate over removing screens
AR glasses, wearable tech, and the persistence of screens
Review of Apple's new AI-powered Siri and privacy concerns
Joanna's media journey: WSJ, NBC, and building an audience
Business model: Video production costs and monetization strategies
The future of journalism and independent media networks
Outro and sponsors: Nespresso and PreNuvo
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