Will artificial intelligence kill journalism? In this episode of Searching for America, I explore what happens to truth, trust, and storytelling in a world where AI can now write articles, summarize reports, fact-check, and even present the news. Drawing on my years inside newsrooms, I look at how AI is already reshaping journalism — accelerating job losses, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s synthetic, and forcing us to rethink what the profession is actually for. I’m not anti-AI. I think it’s an extraordinary tool. But journalism won’t survive by competing with machines on speed or volume. We’ll never win that race. Instead, I argue that the future lies in what AI can’t replicate: human presence, lived experience, empathy, judgment, and the simple act of asking who, what, when, where, and why. From ancient scribes to modern war correspondents, this episode is about why real, human reporting still matters — and may be more essential than ever. What we cover How AI is transforming newsrooms and accelerating job losses Why images, audio, and video can no longer be taken at face value The deeper philosophical question: what happens to truth Lessons from the printing press and historic disruptions Why the core questions of journalism still matter The Mandela interview that AI could never replicate The irreplaceable value of presence, empathy, and lived experience Why the future belongs to reporters who double down on connection, verification, and authenticity Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu She has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
