The Core Event
Fortune Business Editor Nick Lichtenberg has produced over 600 AI-assisted articles in approximately 8 months (since July 2025), generating nearly 20% of Fortune's web traffic in the second half of 2025.[1][3] This output significantly exceeds his peers' production rates, with Lichtenberg writing more articles in 6 months than any other Fortune writer produces in a full year.[1] His method involves uploading press releases and analyst notes into AI tools like NotebookLM and Perplexity, then editing the output for publication.[3]
Who's Involved
Fortune is the primary organization, with Lichtenberg's editor reportedly expressing interest in having "10 Nicks" given his productivity.[3] The broader trend extends beyond Fortune—the Wall Street Journal and Wired have recently published exposés documenting AI adoption by journalists including Casey Newton, Kevin Roose, Jasmine Sun, Taylor Lorenz, and Alex Heath.[1] Lichtenberg's AI-assisted work is formally published under Fortune Intelligence, a designated section for such stories.[2]
Timeline and Context
Lichtenberg's AI-assisted output began in July 2025. The stories are filed explicitly as AI-assisted within Fortune Intelligence, distinguishing them from traditional reporting.[2] This coincides with broader industry adoption of AI editing and writing tools across major newsrooms, though Lichtenberg represents an extreme case of production volume.[1]
Why It's Newsworthy
The story matters because it raises acute questions about journalistic integrity, labor implications, and sustainability in an industry facing advertising revenue pressures.[1] The practical tension is clear: one journalist with AI tools is outproducing entire teams, forcing media organizations to confront questions about editorial standards, fact-checking workflows, and union contracts in the AI era.[3]