The Grill Room The Gospel According to VandeHei
Jan 13, 2026
Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios, shares his insights on the journalism landscape and AI's transformative potential. He discusses the media's trust deficit and the risks AI poses to news credibility. VandeHei argues that AI could lead to a golden age of quality reporting by allowing deeper journalism to flourish. He critiques legacy outlets like The Washington Post for lacking identity and examines the entrepreneurial spirit behind new media ventures. Additionally, he explores how AI can revitalize local journalism and enhance its reach.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Brand Alone No Longer Buys Trust
- Jim VandeHei says legacy brand recognition no longer guarantees audience trust or business viability.
- You must be both useful and trustworthy or risk irrelevance within a few years.
Serve The 5% Who Make Decisions
- Axios targets the 5% of decision-makers who need high‑quality, efficient information to do their jobs.
- Serving that niche frees the company to offer free content broadly while building a premium business.
Use AI To Cut Costs, Not Replace Reporting
- Use AI to automate costs around distribution and operations but protect and invest in high-skill reporting.
- Leverage human reporters for exclusive reporting that AI cannot replicate to create lasting value.