Can Journalism Survive AI? — with NYT CEO Meredith Kopit Levien - The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway Recap

Podcast: The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Published: 2026-03-19

Guests: Meredith Kopit Levien

What Happened

The New York Times is navigating a rapidly evolving media landscape with 13 million subscribers and revenues nearing $3 billion. Meredith Kopit Levien, CEO of The New York Times, detailed the newspaper's strategy to become the essential subscription for curious individuals worldwide, largely focusing on digital and visual content growth. The organization boasts its largest newsroom ever, with 2,300 people in the core newsroom and a total of 3,000 journalists and content creators.

The New York Times is diversifying its offerings by enhancing its video content and expanding into areas such as news, sports, games, shopping advice, and cooking. Levien highlighted the acquisition of Wordle and the development of new games like Connections and Strands as part of this strategy. This expansion aims to cater to a broader audience while maintaining the integrity and quality of journalism.

AI presents both opportunities and challenges for The New York Times. While AI is seen as a tool to increase efficiency, it is not intended to replace core journalistic tasks. The New York Times has actively pursued legal action against several AI companies to protect its intellectual property rights, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding journalism in the AI era.

The New York Times has entered into a partnership with Amazon to ensure a sustainable value exchange, reflecting its commitment to evolving business models. The company generates 75% of its revenue from subscriptions, underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong, engaged subscriber base.

In response to political pressures, The New York Times remains steadfast in its commitment to pursuing the truth. Levien noted that the organization has more lawyers now than ever to protect press freedoms and uphold its journalistic principles.

The ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, continues to be a critical focus for The New York Times, with continuous on-the-ground coverage provided by their reporters. This dedication to comprehensive reporting underscores the newspaper's commitment to providing in-depth and reliable news coverage.

Key Insights

• The New York Times has reached a historic milestone with 13 million subscribers and is close to generating $3 billion in revenue. This growth reflects the organization's successful adaptation to digital media trends.
• The New York Times is leveraging video and visual content as a new growth format, aiming to attract and engage a wider audience. This strategic focus aligns with broader market trends towards multimedia and interactive content.
• AI is considered a tool for efficiency at The New York Times but won't replace core journalism tasks. The company has taken legal action against AI firms to protect its intellectual property and is part of broader efforts to safeguard journalism.
• With a strong emphasis on subscriptions, The New York Times generates 75% of its revenue from this source. This highlights the importance of a loyal subscriber base to the company's financial health and strategic growth.