Fortune magazine is ramping up its use of artificial intelligence in news production with a new editorial push called Fortune Intelligence, aimed at accelerating breaking news coverage while maintaining human editorial oversight. The initiative, first reported by Semafor, will be led by Nick Lichtenberg, a former Fortune editor who returns to the company with a remit to explore how AI can help deliver faster, smarter business journalism.
Announced internally last week, Fortune Intelligence will integrate AI tools not only in writing but also in graphics production and audio publishing, including transforming newsletter content into podcasts. Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell described the move as an effort to “surf this wave, not get pummeled by it”, a phrase that captures the tone of many media leaders trying to reconcile AI’s potential with the risks it presents.
Lichtenberg brings experience from Bloomberg and Business Insider as well as his previous time at Fortune, where he was known for fast-paced editorial decision-making. His return signals the company’s intent to blend AI experimentation with established newsroom judgement, positioning Fortune as a daily destination for timely business news.
The initiative follows broader shifts in the industry. Axios recently relaxed its stance on AI-generated content, allowing for some limited use under strict human supervision. Other outlets, such as CNET, have had to backtrack after early AI experiments produced factual errors and led to corrections, illustrating the risks of deploying AI without rigorous oversight.
Fortune’s model places human editors firmly in control. AI will be used to speed up routine elements of production and help repackage content for multiple platforms, but editors will retain final say on anything published. That principle is especially important as publishers wrestle with how to maintain trust while adopting new tools that can increase efficiency.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being July 7, 2025. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content is not recycled or republished across low-quality sites. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The article includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from the internal memo and Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell are unique to this narrative. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Talking Biz News, a reputable source for media industry news. However, it references an internal memo shared with Semafor, which is not publicly accessible. The reliance on a press release and an internal memo introduces some uncertainty regarding the completeness and accuracy of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Fortune’s new AI-focused initiative, Fortune Intelligence, and the return of Nick Lichtenberg are plausible and align with known industry trends. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The tone and language are consistent with typical corporate communications. No excessive or off-topic details are present.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents fresh and potentially original content regarding Fortune’s new AI initiative. However, the reliance on a press release and an internal memo introduces some uncertainty about the completeness and accuracy of the information. The lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets further raises questions about the narrative’s credibility. Therefore, the overall assessment is ‘OPEN’ with medium confidence.
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