Link roundups
Notable links: October 16, 2026
AI in news for innovation – but not for writing. Plus: open social web election dashboards & how to run a great 1:1.
Ben Werdmuller
Ben Werdmuller helps leaders at newsrooms, non-profits, and mission-driven organizations to navigate their biggest technology challenges.
AI
Current Affairs says it's banning AI
Current Affairs has enshrined tough restrictions on publishing using generative AI into its union contract. It's bet is that it will publish better journalism that way.
Business
Treat your 1:1 relationships with intention
Too often, 1:1s can be reactive, unstructured spaces - or simple status reports that don't give the relationship time to breathe. This advice changes that dynamic.
Media
Argentina's top news app was made by two 23 year olds using AI
46% of Argentine adults avoid the news. These 23 year olds vibe coded a solution that's turned into the most popular news app in the country.
AI
Young people trust AI more than the people in their lives.
48% of young people who use AI trust it more than the humans in their lives.
Technology
Graze's election night dashboard demonstrates the power of open algorithms
"Every federal and gubernatorial race, by name and by state, read from what people are actually saying" - all powered by the open social web.
JSK Fellowship
The space to breathe
The people who can see journalism most clearly are the people who have the least time and space to solve its problems.
AI
Amazon tries to placate data center protesters
Amazon's concessions indicate that data center protests are working. But the company is offering less than pocket change.
AI
The Lenfest AI Collaborative has additional funding. That's great for open source in news.
The Lenfest AI Collaborative lets newsrooms explore a new technology together - but more importantly, it gives them the muscle to open source their work and collaborate.
Technology
The Public Ledger of Credentials directory is taking flight
By taking identity resolution to an independent organization, Bluesky is securing the future of its network, and of AT Protocol.
Media
Trump TV is the only source of footage of the President. That may be exactly what he wants.
In the same week, the President banned three networks from the White House - and started his own. It's not a coincidence that this happened so close to the midterms.
JSK Fellowship
Seeking a "yes, and" space
How the JSK Fellowship is putting me in a more generative culture.