The Atlantic fixed its business. Then AI came for media.

Business Insider | 11-09-2026 04:08pm |

Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, took the helm in 2021 when the magazine was losing money and cutting staff. Today, it is profitable, has 1.6 million subscribers, and generates revenue that Thompson says is “much bigger” than $100 million. In 2024, Thompson struck a deal with OpenAI, which he says has had upside but does not deliver readers to the site. Thompson also creates revenue-generating content separate from the editorial staff, an unusual arrangement.

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