Covering AI is a journalistic imperative, and a fast moving target
Summary
NPR editor Brett Neely discusses the expanding role of AI in journalism, highlighting how the resignation of Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon has intensified public interest and coverage. The conversation covers recent reporting on third-party AI safety evaluators and the Hugging Face hacking incident, while Neely emphasizes the need to address immediate harms rather than just theoretical risks. He also explains NPR's new Tarbell Center grant, which supports AI coverage with full editorial independence, and reflects on the industry's contradiction between advocating for regulation and rapid…
Topics discussed
Brett Neely's early warnings on AI and deepfakes
Introduction to the episode and Jacob Coxon's resignation
Sponsor announcements: Shopify, Schwab, and IXL
Impact of Coxon's resignation on NPR's AI coverage pace
Explaining third-party AI safety evaluators and their flaws
Focusing on immediate AI harms rather than theoretical risks
NPR's grant from the Tarbell Center and editorial independence
Key questions: politics, regulation, and corporate contradictions
Balancing coverage of AI benefits and disruptions
Reflecting on the Hugging Face hacking incident coverage
Brett Neely's personal stance on using AI in journalism
Closing remarks and production credits
Sponsor announcement: Google Workspace with Gemini
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