This Decoder podcast episode interviews Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing the news industry in the age of AI. The conversation begins with a discussion of recent staff cuts in the Journal's tech section, transitioning into broader topics such as AI's impact on news, the value of paid journalism versus free content, and Dow Jones's strategy for navigating the changing media landscape. Latour details Dow Jones's approach to AI, including deals with companies like OpenAI and lawsuits against others for unauthorized data use, highlighting their focus on building proprietary AI data products. The interview concludes with a discussion of press freedom and the challenges posed by misinformation and political polarization. A key takeaway is Latour's emphasis on the enduring value of reliable information and Dow Jones's commitment to distinctive journalism despite industry pressures.
