✨ Behind the AI… News: Meet Alicia Shapiro

Hi everyone,

This Very Special Edition of AiNews (cue the nostalgic 80s music 🎶) is a little different. Today, I’d like to properly introduce myself—because in the year and a half since we launched AiNews.com, I’ve never really told you who I am or how this all began.

We’ve grown a lot since launching in October 2023, and it feels like the right time to share our story.

So—Hello! I’m Alicia Shapiro, the Founding Member, CMO, and Head of News Reporting for AiNews.com—and this is how we got here.

🌱 How It Started

The vision for AiNews.com began with my business partner, Michael Mazzotta, who had the foresight to purchase the domain name AiNews.com way back in 2018—long before most people were talking about AI every day. We met in February 2022, when I was doing social media marketing for his commercial real estate business. We worked well together and shared a common interest in technology and communication.

In October 2023, we officially launched AiNews.com. It started small—just a simple newsletter linking to AI stories from major outlets. But it didn’t stay small for long.

🎤 Stepping Into the Spotlight: Our Podcast Launch

In March 2024, I launched our first podcast: Driving Tomorrow: Conversations with Industry Leaders.

My first guest was Wes Cummins of Applied Digital, who spoke about building a sustainable AI data center in Ellendale, North Dakota. To this day, it’s one of our most-watched episodes. It was a turning point: we were no longer just a newsletter—we were becoming a platform for original stories and conversations.

(And yes, that is me in the screenshot with longer hair—my Murphy Brown meets Laura Ingalls Wilder era, but with podcast mics and AI avatars. These days, the hair’s shorter, the goals are bigger, and the vibe says: I’ve got interviews to run and empires to build.😄)

That same month, something else happened…

🧠 Meet Ai Alicia & Ai Michael

Also in March 2024, our AI avatars, Ai Alicia and Ai Michael, were "born" using DeepBrain's Ai Studios. These brief (1–1.5 minute) video news stories were narrated by our avatars and published on YouTube.

In August 2024, we took things a step further—Ai Alicia became more lifelike when I cloned myself using the upgraded Ai Studios avatars. She still looks and sounds remarkably like me today, and we love using their platform to make our news more engaging and accessible.

🚀 Ai4 Conference, Real Growth & Our First Ad Partner

August 2024 was also when I attended the Ai4 Conference, which I believe sparked our transformation into a serious news outlet. I conducted 5–6 minute interviews with speakers and business leaders on-site at the conference. One standout moment? Greg Stuart of MMA Global told me our live interviews were a brilliant idea—and no one else was doing them. That encouragement meant a lot, and really validated our strategy.

I also met Nik Kleverov, a pioneer in AI filmmaking, at Ai4—and he’s continued to be an incredible resource ever since. Whenever I’m working on an article about AI in film, I’ll send him a quick email—and he always comes through with a thoughtful quote I can include. His support means the world to me.

Between June and August 2024, we reached another milestone: our first advertiser.
We partnered with Alan Meckler of 3DR Holdings to promote his Quantum + AI event in New York. He’s back with us this year for the 2025 event—something we’re very proud of.

🎤 Want to see what the energy was like at Ai4 2024? Watch all of our on-the-ground interviews with founders, marketers, and AI innovators on the AiNews.com YouTube channel.

🌟 September 2024: Meeting Cheryl Goodman

At SDxAI’s Startup Showcase Hackathon, I was inspired watching startups use AI to solve real problems. During a break, I gave an impromptu elevator pitch for AiNews.com—and that’s when I met Cheryl Goodman, who’s since become a valued collaborator and advisor. Cheryl is the founder of FindGood.Tech, host of the Mind The Machine podcast, and deeply committed to AI literacy. She regularly invests her time in helping students learn AI and is always looking for ways to give back to the community. Her generosity, insight, and passion for making AI more accessible have been a huge inspiration to me—and to many others. Her support has meant so much.

🏆 Recognitions & Milestones

December 2024
I was named one of the Top 10 Most Influential CMOs to Watch. What an honor! It meant so much to be recognized for something I care so deeply about.

January 2025
We refreshed the Driving Tomorrow podcast brand. It was a small change, but it gave the series a more polished and modern feel—and reflected the evolution of the show.

💡 March 2025: A Turning Point at HumanX

The most impactful event of our journey so far came in March 2025, when Michael and I attended the very first HumanX conference. We didn’t know exactly what to expect—but by the time it ended, we both realized something had shifted.

For Michael, it was the moment the true scope of AI hit him. Seeing the scale of the companies involved, the groundbreaking deals being made, and the energy around every conversation—it was eye-opening. He said afterward that it “blew his mind,” and that HumanX made him realize just how impactful AI really is, and how much opportunity exists when you're in the right rooms.

For me, it was a revelation that AI conferences didn’t have to be cold or corporate or intimidating. HumanX was welcoming. The attendees were friendly, open, and genuinely interested in making connections. There were so many opportunities for collaboration—not just networking, but building real relationships. It was inspiring and energizing in a way I’d never experienced at a conference before.

Bonus moment I’ll never forget: HumanX featured one of my quotes from the conference on their official website. Being quoted alongside leaders in the AI space was an unexpected and deeply appreciated recognition. It reminded me how far AiNews has come—and how important it is to keep showing up with purpose.

We attended invite-only meetups and private networking sessions, made connections with some truly brilliant people (too many to list!), and had conversations that helped shape the direction of AiNews.com.

Then came the most surprising part of all: on the final day, I got an email asking if I could moderate a panel on AI in Healthcare, stepping in for someone who couldn’t make it. With just a couple of hours to prep, I said yes—and I’m so glad I did. My panelists were amazing, the conversation flowed easily, and it ended up being my very first speaking engagement. I loved every minute of it.

One of the highlights of the event was my interview with Stefan Weitz, CEO of HumanX. He was generous with his time and insights, and I really encourage you to check out that episode on our YouTube channel.

🎥 Want to hear more from the leaders shaping the future of AI? Watch all of our exclusive HumanX interviews on the AiNews.com YouTube channel—each one packed with insights, innovation, and real-world applications from the people driving AI forward.

If you’re thinking about attending a conference in 2026, I can’t recommend HumanX highly enough. It wasn’t just an event—it was the catalyst that helped us realize what AiNews could become.

And spoiler alert: you’ll definitely want to attend, because I’ll be speaking again!

🔍 Investigative & Editorial Growth

• April 2025: We partnered with veteran journalist Alastair Goldfisher, who brings his powerful reporting to AiNews.com through in-depth articles and as co-host of our second podcast, AI Cognitive Shift.

  • Driving Tomorrow spotlights AI innovation through interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders who are building the future with artificial intelligence. Each episode highlights real-world use cases, lessons learned, and advice for navigating the fast-changing AI landscape.

  • AI Cognitive Shift explores the social and ethical impact of AI on humanity—from bias and transparency to workforce shifts and personal agency. Hosted by veteran journalist Alastair Goldfisher, the show examines how AI is reshaping our daily lives, values, and future as a society. Subscribe to both—you won’t regret it!
    
    

    

    Welcome Alastair Goldfisher to AiNews.com. Image Source: Alicia Shapiro

• I also attended The AI Show in San Diego, the premiere conference focused on AI in Education. This event brought together a powerful mix of educators, entrepreneurs, and technologists all working to bring AI into classrooms in thoughtful and meaningful ways. I met so many inspiring organizations—like one using music to teach English as a second language, another enabling no-code app creation for teachers, and many more helping bridge the digital divide in schools.
  

  What stood out to me most was the passion and optimism in the room. The conversations weren’t just about tools—they were about empowerment, accessibility, and giving teachers and students new opportunities to grow. It was a powerful reminder that AI, when used responsibly, can be a force for good in education.
  
  
  

• We also had the incredible opportunity to feature an interview with Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “Godfather of AI.” This came about thanks to veteran journalist Jim Harris, who we met at HumanX and who was attending an AI event in Toronto where Hinton was speaking. Jim graciously conducted the interview on behalf of AiNews.com—and we were beyond thrilled to share it with our audience.
  
  The conversation covered a wide range of fascinating insights—including why Nobel Prizes aren’t keeping up with AI innovation, how OpenAI beat Google to launching ChatGPT, and why AI tutors could dramatically accelerate learning—up to three to four times faster. Dr. Hinton’s vision for the future of education and research was both compelling and thought-provoking.
  
  🎥 If you haven’t watched it yet, don’t miss it—the interview with Geoffrey Hinton is available now on the AiNews.com YouTube channel.

  

  Interview with Geoffrey Hinton and Veteran Journalist Jim Harris for AiNews.com. Image Source: Screenshot from the Interview on YouTube.

  
  

• We also welcomed Patrick McAndrew as a contributing writer to AiNews.com. Patrick is a longtime advocate for ethical and responsible AI, and previously worked at the Responsible AI Institute, where I first interviewed him back in October 2024. His deep knowledge of the field, paired with his approachable and thoughtful communication style, brings a whole new level to our reporting.

  Whether he’s writing about AI governance frameworks, bias mitigation, or the human oversight needed in automated systems, Patrick helps unpack complex ethical questions in ways our audience can actually apply and understand. His contributions are helping AiNews.com become not just a source of tech news, but a trusted voice for how AI can be developed and used responsibly.

  

  Welcome Patrick McAndrew to AiNews.com. Image Source: Alicia Shapiro

🎙️ May–June 2025: Expanding Our Voice

• May 2025: I interviewed Florida U.S. Congressman Jimmy Patronis and AI & cybersecurity expert Arnie Bellini about the Newark Airport outages and whether AI could have played a role. It was a major opportunity—and a milestone for me personally, as it was my first time interviewing a sitting U.S. Congressman. I was incredibly grateful for the experience and proud to bring such a high-level perspective to our AiNews audience.
  
  
  

• June 2025: I launched AI Coaching Services for business leaders.

  • Quick Start: 30-min intro to LLMs, prompts, and basic use cases

  • Deep Dive: Custom strategy session with demos and guidance

  • Coming soon: a self-paced webinar course with hands-on examples!
    
    
    

• Also in June, I was named a finalist for VentureBeat’s Women in AI Awards! I couldn’t attend in person, but I was proud to send in a short acceptance video. What an incredible honor!

🔮 What’s Next?

• August 2025: I’ll be returning to the Ai4 Conference—but this time, not just as an attendee. I’m incredibly honored to be moderating a 45-minute panel on AI in Marketing, focused on how organizations are using AI to extract real value from customer data. The session is titled: “Data-Driven Marketing with AI: Extracting Value from Customer Insights.”
  

  It’s a full-circle moment after attending Ai4 last year and interviewing speakers on the expo floor. This year, I get to contribute from the main stage, and I couldn’t be more excited to share the space with brilliant marketers and innovators who are redefining customer engagement with AI.
  
  If you're attending Ai4 in Las Vegas, come say hi and catch the panel!
  
  
  

• We’ve also invested in and partnered with Channel1.ai, a groundbreaking platform creating the world’s first fully AI-generated news channel. Founded by Adam Mosam, Channel 1 is building a 24/7 news experience using cutting-edge generative AI technologies—with real-time story generation, AI anchors, and a global newsfeed model designed to scale news production like never before.
  
  Michael invested in Channel 1 during their seed round, and we’re proud to support a platform that shares our passion for innovation in journalism. In September of this year when Channel 1 officially launches, we’ll be publishing an exclusive interview with Adam, where he’ll walk us through a live demo of how Channel 1 works, how their editorial safeguards function, and what this could mean for the future of journalism. We're incredibly excited to be among the first to showcase this platform in action.
  
  This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission at AiNews.com: to explore the edge of AI innovation while championing responsible, accessible, and impactful news delivery.
  
  
  

• We’re also building something big behind the scenes—an AI-powered news app for journalists and content creators.
  
  

  This app is designed especially for journalism students, early-career reporters, and independent writers who need better tools and fewer roadblocks. The platform will allow users to:
  

  • Research stories using agentic AI workflows

  • Write original, SEO-friendly articles

  • Generate images and write alt text

  • Auto-publish to social media or websites

  • Work offline and in 20 of the world’s most widely spoken languages

  
  We envision this as both a powerful portfolio-builder for aspiring journalists and a workflow accelerator for busy professionals. It's about democratizing access to great tools and empowering the next generation of ethical, efficient, and impactful AI-powered storytelling.
  
  

  We're developing this as part of our long-term mission at AiNews: to support journalists, elevate the quality of AI reporting, and help content creators do more—with less time and more confidence.

💡 Powering the Vision: Beehiiv and the People Behind It

None of this growth would have been possible without the tools and support systems that power us behind the scenes. A special thank-you goes to Beehiiv, the platform we chose to build our newsletter on. Its seamless publishing experience gave us exactly what we needed to launch and scale quickly.

We’re especially grateful to Tyler Denk, Beehiiv’s co-founder and CEO, for creating a tool that helps independent news outlets thrive — and to Preeya Goenka, COO at Beehiiv, whose encouragement and thoughtful support helped us believe that AiNews.com had a real shot at making a difference. Whenever I ran into roadblocks that regular support couldn’t solve, they made themselves personally available to help — and that kind of support made all the difference.

💡 Lessons Learned

Along the way, I’ve learned a few things—some the hard way, others through moments of clarity that only show up when you keep showing up. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• Trust your curiosity. It’s often the first clue pointing you toward what you’re meant to build.
  

• Bet on yourself. Believing in yourself matters most—because you’ll keep showing up, even when others don’t.
  

• Start before you're ready. Waiting for the perfect time—or until you feel ready—usually means never starting. Or worse, watching someone else run with your idea.
  

• Don’t be afraid to change directions when the world changes around you. You’re not failing. You’re pivoting. And that’s the smart move.
  

• You don’t need permission to begin something important. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Take the first step anyway, and trust yourself to grow into it.
  

• Community is everything. Surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re building and want to see it thrive.
  

• And just as important: don’t hire or partner with someone just because they look good on paper. Vision, drive, and alignment matter. If they’re not in it with the same heart and hunger, it won’t work.
  

• Patience is a hidden superpower. Even when you’re eager to do all the things right now, the best opportunities tend to show up when you’re truly ready—not just when you think you are.

I’m still learning every day, but I’m grateful for the people, challenges, and moments that taught me these lessons—and for the chance to share them with you. These lessons didn’t arrive all at once—but they’ve shaped the way I lead, create, and grow. And I hope they encourage you wherever you’re at in your journey. None of this has been easy, but every step has been worth it.

If you’re building something too—keep going. You’ve got this.

👋 A Little About Me (Outside the Newsroom)

When I’m not writing AI news or hosting interviews, I’m soaking up life in sunny San Diego with my husband, Jeff. We love taking long walks by the beach, cheering on our favorite sports teams (Go Gulls! Go Yankees! Go Bears!), and finding excuses to laugh—comedy is a huge part of our lives. Jeff’s funnier than I am (don’t tell him I said that), but I do get in a few good ones myself. 😉

Music is another big part of who I am. I’ve played the flute since fifth grade and spent some time performing on both flute and keyboards in a band called Sunday Drivers. We had a great run and made some amazing memories.

For three years (before COVID), I had the honor of playing the national anthem on my flute at San Diego Gulls games—an experience I’ll never forget. I got to play in front of a crowd of 12,000 people!

I also gave stand-up comedy a try for about a year—talk about nerve-wracking and exhilarating! It was a fun chapter that taught me a lot about storytelling, timing, and confidence.

After the real estate market crash in 2008–2011 left many of us in limbo, I found myself facing the same reality as so many others: no one was hiring. So, in 2012, I decided to stop waiting—and started my own company.

I launched a social media marketing agency, Aliro Marketing, to help local businesses build their online presence. My goal was simple: to manage their social media so they could focus on what they do best—running their business. I’m proud to say I built a fairly successful agency and kept it going for over 12 years.

While I still work with a few long-time clients today, my primary focus is now on AiNews.com. And I carry everything I learned as an entrepreneur—resilience, storytelling, and customer connection—into everything I do here.

Today, I find myself blending all of that—my creative past, my love for people, and my passion for AI—into AiNews.com. Whether it’s through interviews, coaching, or reporting, I’m here to help make AI news accessible, engaging, and human.

Thanks for being part of this story. 💙🎉 

📖 The Story Isn’t Over

We’ve come a long way since linking to headlines in a tiny newsletter. What started as a simple idea has grown into a mission-driven platform powered by curiosity, persistence, and YOU—our readers and supporters.

Every step forward—every article, interview, and innovation—has been guided by the belief that AI news should be understandable, responsible, and human. We’re still growing, still learning, and still building—and we’re so glad you’re part of it.

If you’ve just joined us, WELCOME! If you’ve been with us since the early days, THANK YOU for sticking around! The best is yet to come.

👉 Like this story? Share it with someone who needs to see it.
📬 Know someone curious about AI? Tell a friend about AiNews.com.

Our Mission

At AiNews.com, we are committed to democratizing AI news by making it understandable and accessible to everyone around the globe, while ensuring our reporting is responsible and accurate. Our goal is to deliver cutting-edge insights in a timely manner while mentoring the next generation of journalists who seek to incorporate AI into their reporting.

Our Core Values

We prioritize responsible AI reporting, ensuring transparency and accuracy in all of our work. By using innovative approaches to AI journalism, we stay ahead of the curve in AI developments, delivering impactful insights to our audience.