Big Tech Hires Top AI Expert to Boost Content and Ads

CNN made a bold move by hiring Chris Wiggins, a well-known AI specialist who spent over ten years shaping the New York Times' digital strategies. His new job? Leading their machine learning and AI efforts to improve how ads are targeted, how news is delivered, and how viewers interact with content. Instead of building everything from scratch, Wiggins will take charge of CNN’s existing AI teams, uniting engineers and data experts under one roof. His role isn’t just about flashy tech—it’s about money too. CNN expects his team to fine-tune ads and subscriptions to bring in more revenue while also making sure users get content tailored just for them. That’s a big deal in today’s media world, where personalization often decides who stays and who leaves. Wiggins will work closely with Kendell Timmers, CNN’s data analytics boss, who also has a history at the Times, showing how much this company values insider knowledge.Before this, Wiggins spent years at the Times experimenting with AI tools. One of his projects helped adjust their paywall system using machine learning, balancing what readers pay and what they get for free. He also built recommendation engines that mix human editorial choices with smart algorithms—like suggesting articles that feel personal, not robotic. Even ads got an upgrade under his watch, with AI-driven tools to match brands with the right audiences. Outside of media, Wiggins is also a professor at Columbia University, teaching applied math. His background in physics and math from top schools like Princeton gives him a rare mix of technical skill and real-world problem-solving. CNN’s push to modernize its digital side seems to be paying off with hires like his, aiming to stay competitive with streaming and mobile platforms.