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 Thompson
00:11 Navigating the Information Overload
01:10 Daily Tech Insights and Tools
02:10 Using AI for Content Creation
04:39 AI as a Personal Trainer
08:02 Emotional Connections with AI
12:12 The Risks of AI Relationships
16:17 Preparing for AGI and Cognitive Offloading
30:26 AI's Impact on Leadership
31:10 Navigating AI Competitors
32:01 Internal AI Strategies
32:49 Ethical Considerations in AI Usage
34:07 AI in Journalism and Writing
36:32 Practical AI Applications
40:27 Balancing AI and Human Skills
49:27 Future of AI in Media
53:50 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.
