In partnership with
MediaMorph Edition 98 - by HANA News
AI leadership is hard
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here
The written-by-a-human bit
Two conflicting stories this week sum up the current bifurcation of AI adoption and AI fears.
Firstly, the Wall Street Journal published an interview with Fortune editor Nick Lichtenburg, who was happy to share that he has published over 600 articles for Fortune using a combination of Perplexity and NotebookLM. He is all in on AI tools as a superpower, and is fearless and unapologetic, with caveats:
“Like other journalists, Lichtenberg vets his stories. He refers back to the original documents to confirm the information he’s reporting is correct. He reaches out to companies for comment. But he admits his process isn’t as thorough as that of magazine fact-checkers.”
Queue predictable backlash from concerned purists and the readers' comments on the WSJ site.
Meanwhile, Harriet Meyer, journalist turned AI advocate, writes, “We are all using AI. Can we just say so?” Harriet suggests we are in “AI’s awkward age”:
“It's that strange phase where AI is already firmly here, but people still don't quite know how to talk about it, where it fits, or what counts as sensible use.”
Clearly, some companies and individuals are powering ahead with their AI adoption, and the gains are compounding.
On the flip side, the AI agent platform WRITER published some staggering survey results in their report, The invisible crisis in enterprise AI, which interviewed 2,400 knowledge workers, split evenly between C-suite execs and employees :
73% of CEOs say their AI strategy is causing them stress or anxiety.
38% of CEOs describe that stress as high or crippling.
61% of executives fear losing their jobs if they fail to lead their organisation through the AI transition.
A major reason for this anxiety is lack of clarity and substance:
39% do not have a formal strategy to drive revenue from AI
75% say their company’s AI strategy is more for show than for real internal guidance
56% of executives say AI has already created power struggles inside their organisation, up from 42% last year.
On the employee side, resistance is also evident:
29% of employees say they have actively sabotaged their company’s AI strategy, for example, refusing training, using unauthorised tools or corrupting the output.
among Gen Z, that rises to 44%
Risky AI use is widespread:
35% of employees have entered proprietary or confidential information into a public AI tool
two-thirds of executives believe their company has already suffered a data breach because of an employee using an unapproved tool
The most striking finding is the trust gap:
only 35% of employees say their manager is an AI champion
75% say they trust AI more than their manager for certain work tasks
(AI summarised)
No doubt WRITER is framing multiple problems that their platform can solve. But the challenge is real — leadership in the time of AI is hard. How do you encourage your power users while coaching your laggards? Ad hoc tool adoption no longer cuts it. Enterprise adoption requires governance, frameworks, clear measurable outcomes, strategy, and leadership by example.
AI adoption is not a software rollout but a root-and-branch change management challenge.
In other news, if you want a glimpse into the future of content creation, you need to take the Velora app for a spin. Peter Stuart (previously cycling editor for Future Publishing) has built a phenomenally powerful tool for a joined-up editorial workflow. Velora will source relevant RSS feeds, conduct research, learn your house style, and create a fact-checked article with hyperlinks to sources. In effect, Velora has consolidated nine time-consuming tasks into a single operating system. The skill is knowing when to take over as a human. For small publishing teams, or Substackers, this is a game-changer.
I expect a marmite love/hate reaction to this type of technology — for some it will be too easy, too effortless, lacking the struggle of good writing. For others, it is a one-person newsroom opening up exciting new publishing opportunities, ideal for local newsrooms and B2B publications.
From Peter:
“Velora is the editorial platform we built to solve our own problem: how do you remove the parts of publishing that consume huge amounts of time but add little creative value? Modern publishing workflows still involve repetitive manual tasks across research, formatting, tagging, linking and distribution. We wanted a system where those processes happen automatically, allowing journalists and editors to focus on what actually matters.
We've built a unified editorial pipeline – from news discovery and research to SEO, social distribution and newsletters – that automates production without compromising editorial standards.
We use Velora ourselves every day, which means the platform evolves constantly in response to real newsroom needs. We believe journalists should have access to the best technology, within a structure that keeps editorial judgment at the centre.”
For more information, contact [email protected]
Mark Riley, CEO Mathison AI
AI and Journalism
This week’s best articles, as chosen by our editors
Journalists should use A.I. more Slowboring - April 6, 2026 (Substack paywall) AI, particularly large language models, can be a valuable tool for journalists who excel in reporting but struggle with writing, helping to generate story ideas and narratives from raw data. As traditional revenue streams decline, leveraging AI could enhance productivity and improve coverage of vital yet underreported topics, ultimately serving the core mission of journalism to inform the public. |
Associated Press starts offering buyouts to newspaper journalists amid wider AI transformation of the industry Fortune - April 6, 2026 The Associated Press is undergoing a significant transformation, offering buyouts to over 120 journalists as it shifts focus towards visual journalism and artificial intelligence in response to declining newspaper revenue. While adapting its business model by enhancing video capabilities and selling election data, AP remains committed to delivering accurate news and combating misinformation through innovative methods. |
AI used against Associated Press and ProPublica journalists People's World - April 8, 2026 The Associated Press has laid off at least 120 employees, including veteran journalists, as it shifts its focus towards artificial intelligence and digital services, drawing criticism for jeopardizing unbiased news coverage. Meanwhile, ProPublica staff have voted to authorize a strike over similar concerns about AI's impact on journalism, highlighting broader industry tensions regarding job security and the future of news reporting. |
Did AI kill my job, or open up a next chapter? Pittsburgh's Public Source - April 10, 2026 After being diagnosed with ADHD at 24, I transformed my struggles into a career in writing and advocacy for mental health, eventually landing a full-time job at All That’s Interesting. However, following layoffs due to industry changes from AI, I took a break to focus on my mental health, finding strength and support within my community as I navigate the uncertainties of the future. |
A viral profile made him a lightning rod for journalism’s AI anxieties. He sees himself as a trailblazer Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism - April 8, 2026 Nick Lichtenberg, an editor at Fortune, explores the integration of Generative AI in journalism amid backlash from peers, emphasizing its role as a valuable tool for enhancing productivity while maintaining the unique voice of writers. As he navigates mixed reactions and personal relationships affected by this technology, Lichtenberg advocates for a balanced approach that embraces AI's potential to streamline information gathering without overshadowing human creativity in storytelling. |
How the Hindu Is Embedding AI Into Its Data Journalism Gijn - The Hindu's recent investigation into 22 million voter records from three Indian states has unveiled critical insights into voter behavior and electoral trends. This data-driven journalism effort underscores the importance of accurate information in understanding India's democratic landscape. |
Three journalists on using AI in their work BostonGlobe.com - April 9, 2026 ($ paywall) The author examines the growing role of AI tools in journalism, highlighting their usefulness for tasks like research and fact-checking while also addressing concerns over integrity and originality. They reflect on the tension between embracing these technologies for efficiency and preserving the essential human elements of storytelling and analysis in quality journalism. |
How artistic gatekeepers are ignoring the editorial reality of using AI visuals in local journalism Milwaukee Independent - April 10, 2026 As newsrooms increasingly adopt generative AI to create visuals under budget and time constraints, the debate intensifies over its impact on journalism's credibility and the future of creative jobs. While critics voice concerns about ethics and professionalism, many small publications view AI as a necessary tool for survival, highlighting the ongoing evolution of technology in the creative industry. |
The New Era Of The Writing Machines: What Journalism Becomes Next Forbes - Fabio Moioli, an Executive Search and Leadership Advisory expert at Spencer Stuart, blends his knowledge of artificial and human intelligences to enhance leadership effectiveness in a digital age. His focus on adaptability and innovation positions him as a thought leader in navigating the evolving landscape of talent management. |
How Latin America reclaims journalism in the age of AI Deutsche Welle - April 13, 2026 The recent workshop "Redefining the Rules of the Game" explored how generative AI is reshaping independent journalism in Latin America, revealing both opportunities and significant challenges, including increased reliance on tech giants and dwindling trust in newsrooms. As these changes deepen existing inequalities, independent media faces a precarious future amid declining audiences and revenue. |
News Corp Positions Itself as Essential AI Input Provider National Today - April 13, 2026 News Corp has inked a three-year, $50 million deal with Meta, allowing the tech giant to use its US and UK news content, including the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, to enhance AI products. This partnership, amid concerns over AI's impact on traditional journalism, reflects the shifting dynamics between media companies and technology firms in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. |
ProPublica journalists go on strike partly over use of AI Washington Post - ProPublica is leading the charge in establishing ethical guidelines for integrating AI technologies into journalism, focusing on issues like accuracy and bias while advocating for human oversight in AI-assisted reporting. As newsrooms across the U.S. adapt to these innovations, the need for clear policies governing AI's role in news production is more crucial than ever. |
How the Hindu Is Embedding AI Into Its Data Journalism Gijn - The Hindu's recent investigation into 22 million voter records from three Indian states has unveiled critical insights into voter behavior and electoral trends. This data-driven journalism effort underscores the importance of accurate information in understanding India's democratic landscape. |
AI Agents Are Reading Your Docs. Are You Ready?
Last month, 48% of visitors to documentation sites across Mintlify were AI agents, not humans.
Claude Code, Cursor, and other coding agents are becoming the actual customers reading your docs. And they read everything.
This changes what good documentation means. Humans skim and forgive gaps. Agents methodically check every endpoint, read every guide, and compare you against alternatives with zero fatigue.
Your docs aren't just helping users anymore. They're your product's first interview with the machines deciding whether to recommend you.
That means: clear schema markup so agents can parse your content, real benchmarks instead of marketing fluff, open endpoints agents can actually test, and honest comparisons that emphasize strengths without hype.
Mintlify powers documentation for over 20,000 companies, reaching 100M+ people every year. We just raised a $45M Series B led by @a16z and @SalesforceVC to build the knowledge layer for the agent era.
AI and Academic Publishing
This week’s best articles, as chosen by our editors
It’s time for academics to take community action on AI – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) Prio - The academic publishing system is in crisis due to a surge in low-quality and AI-generated articles, prompting calls for collective action from authors, peer reviewers, and editors to uphold research integrity. A collaborative approach that emphasizes quality over quantity and implements multiple safeguards is essential to combat this growing issue and restore trust in published research. |
Science’s AI Revolution Is Being Strangled by a 400-Year-Old Publishing System The academic publishing system is struggling to keep up with rapid advancements in AI, particularly in medicine, leading to potential risks in patient safety due to delayed access to critical research. To address these challenges, reforms such as expedited review processes and open-access models are urgently needed for timely integration of new findings into clinical practice. |
AI and Publishing: FAQ for Writers Jane Friedman - March 24, 2026 This FAQ clarifies key legal misconceptions about generative AI and copyright in the U.S., addressing issues like authorship rights for AI-assisted works, fair use in AI training, and the evolving landscape of publishing contracts. As courts continue to navigate these complex matters, authors are encouraged to negotiate specific rights in their agreements to protect their creative contributions amidst the rise of AI technologies. |
Frontiers issues AI guidance spanning full publishing lifecycle Research Information - April 13, 2026 Frontiers has unveiled new guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research publishing, emphasizing transparency and accountability through its "BE WISE" principles. This evolving framework provides practical tools to support researchers and editors as they navigate AI's role in enhancing research quality and integrity. |
What ChatGPT Is Doing to Student Writing — Minding The Campus Minding The Campus - April 7, 2026 The graduating class of 2026, shaped by the influence of AI tools like ChatGPT, demonstrates a concerning shift in writing skills, where technical proficiency often overshadows intellectual depth, leading to a reliance on superficial content. As students increasingly mimic AI-generated styles, this trend could ultimately elevate the value of those who maintain genuine writing abilities in an era of diminished critical thinking. |
Opinion: Scientific Journals Need Dedicated Fact-Checkers Undark - To combat the rise of problematic content in academic publishing, there is a pressing need for enhanced quality control measures beyond traditional peer review. By incorporating advanced analytics and fostering a culture of transparency, the academic community can better safeguard research integrity and maintain trust in published findings. |
Improving the academic workflow: Introducing two AI agents for better figures and peer review Research - Discover how two groundbreaking AI frameworks, PaperVizAgent and ScholarPeer, are revolutionizing academic research by automating high-quality visualizations and enhancing the peer review process, ultimately streamlining the publication lifecycle and elevating scientific discourse. Join us on a journey toward a future where AI seamlessly integrates into every facet of the scientific workflow! |
This newsletter was partly curated and summarised by AI agents, who can make mistakes. Check all important information. For any issues or inaccuracies, please notify us here
View our AI Ethics Policy
