What I learned from our two summer interns: A perspective from our CEO

Travis Bembenek, the CEO of Mexico News Daily, shared insights from his experience working with two summer interns, Jared and Zella. These interns, while quite different, brought unique perspectives to the team. One point that stood out was their views on artificial intelligence. While AI offered convenience, the interns recognized its potential to promote dependency and laziness. They were guided that MND would not tolerate AI in their writing, but saw it as acceptable for research.

Interestingly, neither intern was overly concerned with the impact AI could have on journalism. This naivety surprised Bembenek, yet it wasn't entirely unexpected. The interns often preferred more modern forms of information consumption, like TikTok or Instagram, over traditional reading. A deeper concern was their lack of engagement with books.

Jared, in particular, had never read a non-fiction book, though he ended up reading two books chosen by Bembenek: "The Last Emperor of Mexico" and "Comfort Crisis". Zella, a senior editor at her high school paper, was bilingual and loved writing, finding it a "happy place" for her. This passion for writing and comprehension was a common thread that highlighted the importance of reading and writing in the digital age.

Bembenek also noted the differences in the upbringing of the interns. Jared seemed to be under more supervision compared to Zella, whose parents were more relaxed about her study abroad experience. He questioned whether today's students are given enough independence to grow through discomfort and self-discovery. Despite the challenges, Bembenek warmly welcomed the interns and looked forward to future interns joining the team, learning from MND, and contributing their unique perspectives.