Week of Oct. 2, 2025

From the editor’s desk

So far this year, anytime I’ve brought up AI, it’s been to assure you that the RN&R is not using it to write articles or commentaries. Back in May, when I critiqued the AI-generated reading list that the Chicago Sun Times had unwittingly published, I promised that RN&R writers would still form our thoughts the old-fashioned way:

When you … read Jessica Santina’s theater recommendations, Bob Grimm’s movie recommendations, and all of our other content about what to do and where to go this summer, you will be reading real, well-informed opinions crafted by real, well-informed people who care about our community. No AI. Just IRL. And hours and hours of fact-checking.

That’s still the case, and we have no plans to begin publishing AI-generated content. Still, I’m aware that artificial intelligence is a fascinating, powerful technology that is here to stay. It’s permeating life, culture and politics at a dizzying rate.

This week, the Los Angeles Times reported that Hollywood actors are concerned about the possibility of an AI-generated actor being signed by a talent agency, and The Guardian and other news outlets reported that a fake, AI-generated video of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer insulting fellow Democrats played on loop for hours yesterday in the White House briefing room.

The reason I’m bringing up AI this time is because I want to learn more about it. I’d love to hear from you, our readers, about what you’ve observed. Aside from the high-profile examples in this week’s national news, how have you seen AI being used locally? Who in Northern Nevada is using it, avoiding it, liking it, hating it, making policies about it, or otherwise discussing it in interesting ways?

If you have a moment to tell me what you’ve seen and heard in our region, please drop me a line at krisv@renonr.com. Thanks for your thoughts!

Take care,

—Kris Vagner, managing editor