Why Stern left the Wall Street Journal

Tech journalist Joanna Stern joined Semafor’s “Mixed Signals” shw to discuss leaving The Wall Street Journal after more than a decade to launch her own venture, “New Things,” and what it really takes to bet on yourself in today’s media landscape.

“It’s a complete bet,” said Stern. “I’m betting on myself.” Stern said that it was possible that she could have built a bigger audience if she stayed at The Journal, but there was also the realization that she could “make more of that money if I do go out on my own.”

She’s examining subscriptions, events and partnering with other organizations to share revenue. Stern noted that she loves doing events.

“For me, I want to keep doing what I’ve always done,” said Stern.

Co-hosts Max Tani and Ben Smith asked Stern how she’s using AI as a “co-founder,” and what she learned from immersing herself in artificial intelligence for her new book, “I Am Not a Robot.”