Navigating the AI Revolution in Journalism: A Conversation with Dan Grech

Local News Matters

In this episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and journalism with Dan Grech, a Pulitzer-winning former journalist and news director who has transitioned into the world of marketing and AI. Grech shares his unique perspective on the potential of AI to transform storytelling, marketing, and more, while also discussing the emotional, personal, and ethical implications of his transition from journalism to business. The conversation delves into the potential impacts of AI on journalism and local news, the unique value that human intelligence provides, and the transformative potential of AI.

Episode chapters:

(03:57) - Dan’s journey from journalism to business and AI

(13:31) - The destructive way journalists talk about business roles

(18:28) - The epochal change presented by generative AI

(31:03) - AI’s impact on the 5 pillars of journalism

(35:09) - AI’s implications for intellectual property and curation

(41:18) - AI’s implications for the business models of journalism

(46:10) - Using AI in newsrooms

Links

• Dan Grech: LinkedIn, Twitter

• BizHack Academy: web, Twitter

• BizHack’s “AI for Marketing and Sales” course

• WLRN

• Center for Collaborative Journalism

• “Schweddy Balls” SNL skit

• ChatGPT

• Stable Diffusion

• Midjourney

• Planet Money makes an episode using AI

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Zack Richner, Tracie Powell, Dan Oshinsky, Linda Shapley, Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton, Charity Huff, Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry, Steve Waldman, Maritza Félix, Michael Bolden, Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins, Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson, Jennifer Brandel, Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh.