Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

CEOs of The NYT and Atlantic Get Canndid About AI, Google Search, Kalshi, and More

Sep 22, 2026 · 31m

Summary

Nick Bilton and Meredith Kopan Levitt debate AI strategies, contrasting The Atlantic’s OpenAI partnership with The Times’ copyright lawsuits. They address Google’s impact on publisher traffic and the ethical risks of prediction market deals, emphasizing the need for sustainable, fair value exchanges. Both leaders reject the notion of a subscription ceiling, arguing that high-quality journalism remains essential in an age of synthetic content.

Topics discussed

Atlantic's OpenAI deal and the spectrum of publisher strategies Times' stance on AI theft, lawsuits, and partnership conditions Responding to 'deal with the devil' criticism and editorial independence Google's impact on traffic and the need for equitable data deals Subscription growth potential and the demand for quality journalism Building resilience through innovation and audience engagement Ethical concerns regarding prediction market partnerships Rebutting the 'journalism is irrelevant' narrative Rapid fire: AI's future, journalist numbers, and print media
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