Joanna Stern Leaves Wall Street Journal to Launch AI-Focused Media Venture New Things

Joanna Stern, a longtime friend and co-founder of The Verge, has taken a bold step in her career by leaving her position as a senior personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal to launch her own media company, New Things.

Stern’s departure from The Journal marks a significant shift, as she embarks on this new venture with her recently released book, I Am Not a Robot. The book, published on May 12, documents her year-long experiment living with artificial intelligence in every aspect of her life. The project provides a firsthand look at the technology’s current capabilities and limitations.

In an interview with Decoder, Stern discussed the reasons behind her decision to go independent, a move she has contemplated for years. She emphasized that the timing felt right to pursue this new direction, which includes a strategic partnership with NBC to reach a broader mainstream audience.

Why Now? The Timing Behind Stern’s Move

Stern’s decision to launch New Things reflects her long-standing desire to explore media on her own terms. She noted that the transition was not made lightly, as she weighed the challenges and opportunities of leaving traditional journalism behind.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do and wrestled with for years,” Stern said. “There were a lot of interesting reasons why now is the time.”

AI in Everyday Life: Lessons from a Year-Long Experiment

Stern’s book is the result of a year spent integrating AI into her daily routine. Her experience offers a rare perspective on the technology’s real-world applications and shortcomings. She highlighted that many of the most hyped AI-powered gadgets, particularly humanoid robots, are not yet ready for prime time—and may not be for a long time.

“Many of the most hyped AI-powered gadgets — especially the humanoid robots — are definitely not ready, and they might not be for a very long time,” Stern explained.

Wearable AI: The Next Big Breakthrough?

Despite the challenges, Stern remains optimistic about AI’s potential. She believes wearable AI could be the “killer app” that justifies the tradeoffs required to advance the technology at the pace the industry demands.

“She thinks wearable AI might really get us to a killer app — one that might justify all the extreme tradeoffs we’re making to continue developing the technology at the pace the tech industry wants to,” the interviewer noted.

New Things: Navigating Media in the Age of YouTube

Stern’s new venture also explores the evolving media landscape, particularly the role of the YouTube algorithm in shaping content distribution. She shared insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a media company outside traditional structures.

“She’s also using AI to help get her new media company off the ground,” the interviewer added. “So I asked her about that, too, and what she’s learning now that she’s left the world of traditional media.”

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“It is about as close to the actual conversation Joanna and I have at our regular dinners as it gets.”