Redux: ‘Mountains beyond Mountains’ abridged by AI

By ChatGPT: Summary of the opening keynote speech at Outdoor Media Summit, in Boise, Idaho, 09/25/23

As a former journalist and the Founder of GearJunkie, Stephen Regenold opened the Outdoor Media Summit this year with a keynote speech. He highlighted the rapid changes in media in 2023, including AI, deepfakes, machine learning, and neural networks. Regenold discussed the uncertain future of SEO and the impact tech giants have on advertising revenue, posing new challenges for traditional media. The transcript from the speech (“Mountains beyond Mountains”) measured at 5,484 words. Here is a summary and some of the key points from his talk:

• Rapid Technological Change: Rapid advancements in AI, deepfakes, machine learning, and generative text programs are transforming the media landscape in 2023.

• Google's Influence: Google's decision to discontinue GA3 (Google Analytics 3) and its launch of a generative search tool has raised uncertainty in the fields of search, SEO, and organic traffic.

• Competition with Tech Giants: Regenold pointed out how digital publishers are competing with tech giants like Meta/Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google for advertising dollars, which has reshaped the media landscape.

• Impact of Marketplaces: Advertisers are increasingly turning to marketplaces like Instacart and Uber to reach consumers, diverting advertising dollars away from traditional media outlets.

• Print Media Evolution: The print media industry is evolving, with many publications moving toward digital formats. However, some niche magazines still thrive. A new print publication, Midjourney magazine, is produced with AI.

• AI in Media: Regenold discussed the role of AI in media, including AI-generated content. He shared an example of AI-generated jokes about journalists attending a conference in Idaho.

• Leveraging AI: He mentioned that his company, GearJunkie, is exploring ways to use AI tools to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.

• Potential for Creative AI: Regenold highlighted the potential for AI to generate creative content, such as AI-generated art.

• AI in Newsrooms: He shared insights about AI's increasing role in newsrooms, including fact-checking, content automation, text summarization, and chatbot-driven interviews.

• The Future of Media: Regenold emphasized that AI is not likely to replace journalists but can help them with repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on adding value through human storytelling and original reporting.

• A Need for Human Touch: He encouraged journalists to focus on adding the human touch to their work, such as conducting interviews, reporting from the field, and providing unique perspectives.

• Stay Curious: Regenold encouraged media professionals to stay curious, be open to technological changes, and maintain a critical eye when incorporating AI into their workflows.

In conclusion, Stephen Regenold discussed the evolving media landscape and the potential for AI to enhance efficiency while emphasizing the importance of maintaining the human touch in journalism and storytelling.

See the full article/transcript: ‘Mountains beyond Mountains.'