After years of attending AI webinars and workshops, I finally went to one that made sense for Hour’s editors — because it was presented by journalists. One of the goals the team discussed was using AI to help take some of the less-creative work off our plates, so we could spend more time creating journalism that sets us apart.
It’s not a new concept to us. For the past couple of years, I’ve encouraged the editors to use AI to help create spreadsheets and compile data for research, so we could put more time into developing engaging articles. This means finding time to get out of the office to interview a subject in person, have lunch with a contributing writer rather than relying solely on email, tour a historic Detroit venue they’ve never visited, or accept invitations for a first look at new development projects — in other words, doing things only humans can do.
I’ve found that some of the best story ideas come from in-person encounters. For example, I don’t think we would have an article in this issue about filmmaker Stephen McGee’s new documentary if I hadn’t met him at a Mustang rally in Hart Plaza in September 2022. That encounter led to a meeting with our team at our office and an assignment to write and photograph the 2023 City Guide, focusing on Detroit neighborhoods. Before the issue went to print, I asked Stephen if he could introduce me to some of the places and people he wrote about. Those meetings led to additional story ideas and meaningful connections.
Other in-person experiences are more obvious. For example, we can’t pick a Restaurant of the Year without dining at the restaurant. Associate editor Jack Thomas and I first visited this year’s honoree, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, exactly a year ago. Our restaurant reviewer then followed up on his own several times. Similar visits to many other restaurants occurred throughout the year, so by the time November rolled around, we had a good selection of dining venues to choose from. For those wondering, the main aspects we look for are exceptional and creative cuisine, upscale ambiance, and impeccable service. I feel confident that if you visit Rudy’s, you’ll find the trip up to Clarkston more than worth it.
So while AI may be a two-letter word that makes some folks uneasy, I can assure you that Hour Detroit’s editors are using it primarily to help us create meaningful content. And the articles you read are crafted by people — a collaboration of writers and editors with a penchant for discovering metro Detroit up close and personal.
This story originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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