The oldest job in journalism: New York Post ‘runners’ defy AI

The oldest job in journalism: New York Post ‘runners’ defy AI

The New York Post is keeping its human "runners" on the ground, defying the AI trend. These reporters conduct physical investigations, knocking on doors and forming connections – tasks that are still beyond current large language models. Managing Editor Lia Eustachewich emphasizes that this human-centric approach is resistant to AI, prioritizing direct interaction for breaking stories across New York City.

This approach highlights the enduring value of human journalism, especially in investigative reporting, which requires contextual knowledge, intuition, and persistence that AI systems currently lack. The Post's strategy shows that while AI can handle data analysis and routine reporting, human journalists bring unique skills to complex storytelling.

The New York Post's decision to retain human "runners" for on-the-ground reporting highlights the enduring value of human-centric journalism, especially in investigative reporting. These reporters conduct physical investigations, knocking on doors and forming connections – tasks that are still beyond current large language models. Managing Editor Lia Eustachewich emphasizes that this approach is resistant to AI, prioritizing direct interaction for breaking stories across New York City.

The role of AI in journalism is evolving, with some newsrooms using it to automate tasks, analyze data, and enhance reporting. However, experts stress that AI should augment, not replace, human journalists. The key is finding a balance between leveraging AI's capabilities and preserving the unique skills and judgment that human reporters bring to storytelling.

About the author

TOOLHUNT

Effortlessly find the right tools for the job.

TOOLHUNT

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to TOOLHUNT.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.