Conservative columnist Ross Douthat joins 60 Minutes, warns of AI timeline

CBS News introduced Ross Douthat, a former New York Times opinion columnist and devout Catholic, as a new contributor to the season-opening episode of 60 Minutes. Douthat, who has no prior television experience, used his segment to stress that the window for ensuring artificial intelligence is safe for humanity is limited to the current year, not the next decade.

"You don’t have to believe that prophecy," Douthat said, adding that "the narrow window" for AI safety is this year.

He concluded with a reference to the program’s long-standing tagline, noting, "That clock is ticking, and so is ours. For almost 60 years, it has meant the same thing. Journalism you can trust. Where we’re headed, we’re going to need it."

The remark was highlighted by media analyst Brian Stelter on social media and drew attention as the only direct nod to the show’s recent overhaul. The changes, overseen by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, have led to the departure of several veteran reporters who allege editorial interference aimed at aligning coverage with the Trump administration.

Former 60 Minutes staff, including Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, have publicly criticized the revisions, describing them as politically motivated and detrimental to journalistic integrity.

Douthat’s AI warning contrasts with recent comments from President Donald Trump, who downplayed risks and suggested that AI would be largely beneficial. Trump, speaking in Ireland and later on Air Force One, said he was not minimizing concerns and that "it’s going to be more good than bad, by a lot," while acknowledging personal use of the technology.