Latest news with #AxiosLocal
Axios
22-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Jim VandeHei: Rise of Super Journalists
We write and talk a lot about the rise of AI superintelligence machines that'll be much smarter than humans — and the technology's impact on society and traditional journalism. In this column, we'll delve into the rise of what we call Super Journalists — reporters with sourcing, expertise, nuance and connections no machine can possibly match. Why it matters: We believe Super Journalists will dominate media in the AI era. These are journalists with true domain expertise, top-notch sourcing and historical depth to tell people things they don't know. They're not your average journalist doing a dutiful job chronicling unfolding events. Those, we believe, will be displaced by an AI agent summarizing things to match — with precision — the tastes of each individual user. No, these are the journalists with deep passion for a topic — be it politics, AI or a specific city — and deep sourcing, knowledge and credibility. They establish an authentic human connection, based on trust built over years. The big picture: This is great for you, the news consumer. In the future, we envision a world where discerning readers, viewers and listeners get the best of both worlds: higher quality human expertise on their favorite topics and quicker, better summaries of daily news or happenings via AI. We built Axios years ago for this very moment. We have a smaller newsroom than some older competitors. But we have true subject matter experts — including Sara Fischer on media, Dan Primack on deals, Ina Fried on tech, Hans Nichols on Congress, Neil Irwin and Courtenay Brown on economics and the Fed, Marc Caputo on the White House, Alex Thompson on national politics, Barak Ravid on the Middle East, Eleanor Hawkins on communications strategy, Joann Muller on transportation, and so many more. We're doing the same in Axios Local cities — now 34 and counting — where we hire the most wired reporters in a city to cover that city for a core local audience of smart professionals. We're not alone: Substack just raised $100 million to entice experts to go solo on its platform. New media companies, notably Puck, have adopted a similar Super Journalist ethos. AI will change journalism dramatically. We're updating the Axios Manifesto to make it clear we'll use AI as a tool for research, data collection and analysis, and compilation of data like concerts or events in cities — not to write stories. We'll soon start sharing some of the best use cases we've found. We believe AI will enable us to expand Axios Local to many more cities, much faster (more on this soon). But it won't replace Super Journalists. In fact, the spread of AI will make their work even more vital and valuable. Here's how we think about it: AI will help facilitate getting more high quality human-generated content to more humans. The distinctiveness of true Super Journalists' work will stand out amid the sameness of commodity news spit out by AI machines. We're betting you'll yearn for and reward: Authentic scoops by people you trust. Authentic context to see and think about topics in a more sophisticated way. Authentic nuance that flows not from the literal words and actions of people — but from their facial expressions, body language and true intent. The bottom line: Super Journalists + superintelligence = information nirvana if Axios can nail the mix and win your trust.
Axios
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Victory: Fremont Troll wins our contest for best public artwork
The Fremont Troll has won our Axios Local contest to crown the best public artwork in the Mountain West. Catch up quick: We started with 16 artworks from eight cities, then ran them head to head in a March Madness-inspired bracket. After the first three rounds of voting, the Emerald City's two entries came out on top, setting up an all-Seattle championship round between the Troll and Georgetown's Hat n' Boots. The latest: The Troll walked all over its crosstown rival, winning 381 votes in the final round, compared to 94 votes for Hat n' Boots.
Axios
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
It's Seattle vs. Seattle in final round of our public art contest
You did it, Seattle. We're the best public art city in the Mountain West, according to Axios Local readers. The latest: Both of Seattle's entries in our public art contest made it to the championship round in our March Madness-inspired bracket. That means it's one Seattle sculpture against another duking it out for the top title, after defeating contenders from seven other cities across the western United States. Zoom in: The choice now is whether to crown the Fremont Troll or Georgetown's Hat n' Boots as the best public artwork in the Mountain West. Either way, Seattle wins. You can vote below (or at this link) through 11am Pacific Time Monday to pick your favorite Seattle icon.
Axios
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Final Four: Seattle advances in our public art contest
Seattle is crushing our Axios Local contest to crown the best public art city in the Mountain West. The latest: Both of the Emerald City's art entries have made it to the Final Four. None of the other seven cities in the competition (San Francisco, Boulder, Denver, San Diego, Portland, Phoenix or Salt Lake City) achieved that feat. Catch up quick: In the last round of voting, the Fremont Troll beat Out of the Blue, a colorful whale that rises from a roundabout in Salt Lake City. Georgetown's Hat n' Boots, meanwhile, bested The Yearling in Denver. What's next: Final Four voting runs through Wednesday at 11am PT.
Axios
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Help Seattle win our contest for best public art
We knew you could do it, Seattle. The latest: Both Seattle art pieces we submitted in our Axios Local public art contest made it through the first round of voting, advancing to the Elite Eight. Catch up quick: In honor of March Madness, each Axios Local city in the Mountain West region — Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, San Diego and soon Boulder — submitted two of their best and weirdest pieces of public art. We at Axios Seattle leaned into the "weird," submitting the Fremont Troll and Georgetown's Hat n' Boots as our entries. Each artwork was seeded No. 1 through 16. And much like the NCAA tournament, there were some major upsets after the first round of voting and some Cinderella stories are brewing. What's next: We need your help to ensure Seattle is represented in the Final Four! (You know our troll under a bridge is better than that whale on a roundabout in Salt Lake City.) Vote here to help Seattle advance in the tournament!
