New York Times Star Leaves to Cover AI Honestly

Kevin Roose, a well-known technology journalist, has left The New York Times to launch a new media company called Machine Gods Media with his former podcast co-host Casey Newton. Their new podcast, also called Machine Gods, will be distributed by NPR. Roose says the goal is to provide 'AI realism'—coverage that takes AI seriously without either dismissing it as overhyped or exaggerating its dangers. He believes most AI coverage falls into two traps: either saying AI is a fake bubble that will disappear, or hyping it as a miracle cure for everything.

Roose also has a new book, The AGI Chronicles, which tells the story of the AI boom through the rivalries between OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. He conducted over 150 interviews with insiders to create what he calls a historical document of how we got here. The book focuses on the people and drama behind the technology, not just the tech itself.

In an interview, Roose explained that he and Newton want to fill a gap in the media landscape. They see too many voices either completely dismissing AI or blindly promoting it. They want to empower and entertain people who are uncertain about AI's future. The podcast will be independent, with NPR handling distribution, so Roose and Newton keep creative control.

For everyday people, this means a new source of AI news that aims to be balanced and accessible. Instead of jargon or fear-mongering, they promise clear explanations of what AI can and can't do. As AI becomes more part of daily life—from chatbots to job automation—having trustworthy, realistic coverage could help people make better decisions about using these tools.