How much of my boss's job can AI do?
Summary
Casey Newton explores AI’s potential to replace his role by creating “Claudici Newton,” an agent trained on six years of Platformer content to mimic his boss’s editing and writing style. While the AI improved in generating concrete analysis and catching factual errors, it struggled with nuance, humor, and human connection. Newton concludes that while AI aids efficiency, the value of journalism increasingly lies in human relationships and authentic insight, leaving him with existential questions about the future of his profession.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Automating the boss with Claude Fable 5
Building Claudici Newton: Data and style guide creation
Testing the bot: Microsoft layoffs and self-correction
Writing capabilities: AI safety framework column analysis
Editing performance: Factual checks vs. missing the vibe
Discord interactions: Temperament and the value of human connection
Conclusion: The future of journalism and existential angst
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