What AI Can't Replace – How The Atlantic Deals with Disruption
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In this episode, Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, offers a sweeping and deeply personal exploration of how AI is reshaping creativity, leadership, and human connection. From his daily video series The Most Interesting Thing in Tech to his marathon training powered by ChatGPT, Nicholas shares how he integrates AI into both work and life—not just as a tool, but as a thought partner.He reflects on the emotional complexity of AI relationships, the tension between cognitive augmentation and cognitive offloading, and what it means to preserve our “unwired” intelligence in an increasingly automated world. The conversation ventures into leadership during disruption, the ethics of AI-generated content, and the future of journalism in a world where agents may consume your content on your behalf.Nicholas also shares how he's cultivating third spaces, building muscle memory for analog thinking, and encouraging experimentation across his team—all while preparing for an uncertain future where imagination, not automation, might be our greatest asset.Whether you're a tech-savvy leader, a content creator, or just trying to stay grounded in the age of generative AI, this episode is full of honest reflections and hard-earned insights on how to navigate what’s next.

Key Takeaways:

• Your “unwired” intelligence is your AI superpower — The more human skills you build—like deep focus, emotional presence, and analog thinking—the better you’ll be at wielding AI. Thompson argues that cultivating these unwired abilities isn’t just about staying grounded—it’s about unlocking the full potential of the tools.
• Don’t fight the storm—gear up and adapt — AI is already transforming media and creative industries. Thompson compares it to a coming storm: you can’t stop it by yelling at the clouds. Instead, embrace it, understand it deeply, and make strategic decisions based on where it’s heading.
• Leadership means showing, not just telling — As a CEO navigating disruption, Thompson doesn’t just advocate for AI exploration—he models it. From training staff on GPTs to walking the halls and testing ideas live, he treats leadership as a practice of visible experimentation and continuous learning.
• AI relationships can’t replace real connection—but they can confuse it — Whether it's logging meals with a bot or losing a personalized Enneagram coach to a reset, Thompson highlights the emotional pull of AI and the dangers of relying on digital companions over human ones. Staying socially connected, especially through “third spaces,” is more important than ever.

LinkedIn: Nicholas Thompson | LinkedIn)The Atlantic: World Edition - The Atlantic)Website: Home - Nicholas Thompson)X: nxthompson (@nxthompson))Strava: Cycling & Biking App - Tracker, Trails, Training & More | Strava)Caitlin Flanagan – Sex Without Women: Article:SexWithoutWomen-TheAtlantic)

00:00 Introduction to Nicholas Thompson00:11 Navigating the Information Overload01:10 Daily Tech Insights and Tools02:10 Using AI for Content Creation04:39 AI as a Personal Trainer08:02 Emotional Connections with AI12:12 The Risks of AI Relationships16:17 Preparing for AGI and Cognitive Offloading30:26 AI's Impact on Leadership31:10 Navigating AI Competitors32:01 Internal AI Strategies32:49 Ethical Considerations in AI Usage34:07 AI in Journalism and Writing36:32 Practical AI Applications40:27 Balancing AI and Human Skills49:27 Future of AI in Media53:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of What AI Can't Replace – How The Atlantic Deals with Disruption |)

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Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.