We recently had the chance to connect with Alicia Shapiro and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Being outside in the sun and surrounded by nature. I can spend hours walking on a scenic trail or by the ocean at Sunset Cliffs Park here in San Diego. There’s something about the sound of the waves, the sea breeze, and the changing colors of the sky that makes time disappear—and in those moments, I often find the clarity I need for big-picture decisions at AiNews. Hiking lets me get lost in thought in the best way, helping me return with a clear head and fresh perspective.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Alicia Shapiro, CMO & Head of News Reporting at AiNews.com, a platform dedicated to making AI news understandable and accessible to everyone around the globe. We cover the latest developments in artificial intelligence with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and responsible reporting.
What makes AiNews unique is our ability to deliver timely, trustworthy coverage without the overhead of a traditional newsroom—showcasing that a small, agile team can still provide high-quality journalism. We also use innovative storytelling formats, including AI-generated news avatars, and rely on AI agent fractional employees to help handle administrative tasks behind the scenes, freeing more time for content creation and audience engagement.
Right now, I’m developing an AI-powered news app designed for journalism students and independent journalists. The app will help them research, rewrite, and publish news stories more efficiently—streamlining the process from idea to publication—so they can focus on storytelling while embracing AI as a tool for their craft.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad. He instilled in me a strong work ethic from an early age. I was taught that whatever job you’re doing—whether it’s washing dishes in a restaurant or serving as CMO of an AI company—you do it to the best of your ability. You always give your best effort, no matter how you feel. He also taught me that you’re only as good as your word: if you say you’re going to do something, you follow through.
I’ve come to see this as my superpower. People recognize my dedication and friendly nature, and it often inspires them to want to collaborate. The flip side is that, because I don’t want to disappoint people, I’ve had a tendency to say “yes” too often and end up overcommitted. I’m learning to work within my abilities and limitations so I can say “no” when needed—ensuring that when I do commit, I can deliver my best.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Success can create the illusion that you’ve got everything figured out, which makes it easy to sit back and relax. Struggle is different—it teaches you how to adapt, persevere, and keep moving forward even when the situation is challenging.
Early in my career, when I worked at a bank, a supervisor once told me—half in frustration, half in admiration—that I was hard to manage because when I was told “no,” I would still find a way to get the job done. That persistence is part of my resilience: I don’t quit when the first door closes. I believe in following the rules, because without them there’s chaos, but if the rules are outdated or unfair, I’ll find a way to work within them and still achieve the goal. Suffering has taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring tough times—it’s about adapting, staying true to your values, and finding a way forward no matter what.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
Honesty, fairness, and integrity. These values were instilled in me from a young age: you don’t lie, you always do your best, and you treat everyone with respect—no matter their gender, race, or background. I believe in treating others the way I want to be treated, and that standard never changes based on someone’s title or status. In fact, it doesn’t impress me if you’re worth $1 billion or $1—I’m going to treat you the same.
Sadly, these values feel increasingly rare among today’s leaders. Too often, the focus is solely on money and power, and values are compromised—or abandoned—along the way. I’ve seen how that approach damages trust and relationships, and it reinforces my commitment to leading with honesty, fairness, and integrity in everything I do.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as a kind, friendly person who was always willing to help—when it was possible, and sometimes even when it wasn’t, but I tried anyway. I’d want them to know how much music means to me—not just in a casual way, but as something deeply woven into who I am. Playing it, learning about it, listening to it… music has always been part of my soul, even if many people in my life today haven’t had the chance to see that side of me.
I’d also hope they remember me as caring, responsible, hardworking in the sense that I always give my best, and determined—but also as someone who truly loved life. I don’t believe our worth is measured by how much we hustle or how many hours we work. To me, life is about peace, nature, and taking care of yourself. It’s about discovering what makes you happy and pursuing it wholeheartedly. I also hope they remember my curiosity—my love for learning, exploring new ideas, and embracing new experiences, whether in work, music, or life. Am I always perfect at that? No—but I try. At the end of the day, it’s the relationships we build, not the work we do, that define the life we’ve lived.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ainews.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciashapiro/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AiNewsdotcom/videos
