Marketplace Tech What AI can and can't do for you (for now)
15 snips
May 12, 2026 
Joanna Stern, tech journalist and founder of New Things who chronicled a year using AI in her life. She describes testing AI for writing and research, the pitfalls of AI-written personal messages, privacy and subscription tradeoffs, and surprising emotional effects when treating AI like a therapist or companion.
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AI As A Research Multiplier
- AI accelerated Joanna Stern's research and organization for writing her book by scanning academic papers and suggesting interview subjects.
- She used AI in place of a reporting assistant to synthesize large topics like healthcare and work, enabling faster progress while keeping her voice intact.
AI Nearly Ruined A Domestic Text
- Joanna trusted AI to draft personal messages and got an awkward reply to her wife saying, "I'm sorry I have other plans."
- The misstep highlighted boundaries where she wouldn't let AI fully handle important personal communications.
Audit AI Subscriptions Regularly
- Be wary of ongoing subscription and gadget costs; Joanna canceled many AI subscriptions when experiments ended.
- Financial outlay was modest, but monitor recurring fees and avoid accumulating low-value subscriptions.
