Hao and Thompson Discuss AI in Des Moines
Drake University hosts authors and media leaders for the annual Bucksbaum Lectureship.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Journalist Karen Hao and The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson held an unmoderated discussion on the future of artificial intelligence. The event took place before a crowd of approximately 300 community members and students at Drake University.
Why it matters
The lecture aimed to explore contrasting perspectives on how artificial intelligence technology influences modern business and society. The dialogue highlighted practical applications of AI alongside broader ethical concerns regarding the rapid development of these models.
Nicholas Thompson actively uses AI models to assist with research, podcast preparation, and product roadmap analysis. These tools represent the current integration of generative AI into professional editorial and corporate workflows.
The players
Karen Hao
She is the author of the book Empire of AI and a journalist focused on the societal impacts of technology.
Nicholas Thompson
He serves as the CEO of The Atlantic and has overseen the publication's partnership with OpenAI.
Drake University
This private university located in Des Moines hosts the annual Bucksbaum Lectureship in Business.
David Brooks
He is a commentator and author scheduled to serve as the speaker for the upcoming April 2027 lectureship.
The details
The speakers focused on the dual realities of AI as a tool for efficiency and a disruptive force in media. Thompson specifically noted his use of AI in streamlining research processes, while Hao offered insights derived from her book Empire of AI regarding the industry trajectory.
Timeline
Karen Hao published her book, Empire of AI, in May 2026.
The Bucksbaum Lectureship took place at the Knapp Center on October 21, 2026.
The next lectureship is scheduled to occur on April 1, 2027.
The Tech Race
The discussion mirrors the broader industry trend of media companies navigating strategic partnerships with AI firms. This shifts the focus from legacy publishing models toward integrated AI research and content generation tools that are rapidly replacing traditional workflows.
Readers can observe how media executives are incorporating AI into daily research to improve information processing speed. These shifts may change how the public consumes journalism as organizations increasingly rely on automated tools to refine their content pipelines.
The takeaway
The event highlights that AI is no longer a theoretical technology but a practical tool currently shaping professional media operations. Residents interested in the future of work should monitor how institutional partnerships, like that of The Atlantic, influence the credibility and creation of digital information.
What happens next
The university is set to hold the next Bucksbaum Lectureship on April 1, 2027, which will feature a lecture by David Brooks.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times-Delphic.
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