Modern CTO How the New York Times is Harnessing Tech in the News Industry with Jason Sobel, CTO
Dec 8, 2025
In this conversation with Jason Sobel, the Chief Technology Officer at The New York Times, he explores how technology is revolutionizing journalism. He discusses the alarming decline of journalism jobs and the rise of GenAI, emphasizing its role in supporting rather than replacing human reporters. Sobel shares insights into the Times' investments in audio and podcasts, and the challenges of balancing brand integrity with modern digital needs. He also offers valuable leadership advice on clarity in communication and hiring relentless problem solvers.
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Technology Is The Delivery Layer For Journalism
- The New York Times prioritizes reporting while relying on technology to deliver content and experiences.
- Digital is the Times' largest and growing business, reshaping how news, cooking, and games are packaged.
Ad Shift Hollowed Local Journalism
- Roughly 70% of journalism jobs vanished over 20–25 years as ad dollars shifted to digital platforms.
- That decline hollowed local newsrooms and correlated with increased local corruption according to studies.
Use GenAI To Assist, Not Replace Reporters
- Do not use generative AI to write or publish news stories; all Times news is produced and edited by humans.
- Use AI to assist journalists by surfacing relevant video segments or automating non-editorial tasks like audio.