Condé Nast strengthens digital strategy with new tech leader and major AI partnership

Condé Nast has taken a major step toward its next phase of innovation, announcing Vasanth Williams as its new chief product and technology officer while expanding its commitment to AI-driven growth. 

Williams, who officially joins on December 8, is tasked with steering the publisher through a rapidly shifting media landscape shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).

For those unversed, Vasanth Williams previously led product and engineering at Major League Baseball and has also held key roles at Amazon and Microsoft. 

His appointment signals Condé Nast’s intent to modernise its platforms, strengthen its digital tools, and refine user experiences across iconic brands like Vogue, GQ, Wired, and Vanity Fair.

Alongside the hire, Condé Nast has entered a major AI partnership as a pilot participant in Microsoft’s new programme that compensates publishers when their editorial content appears in AI-generated responses. 

This agreement allows the company’s US text-based content to be used across Microsoft Copilot experiences.

According to CEO Roger Lynch, the combination of Vasanth Williams’ leadership and the expanded AI partnership marks a turning point for Condé Nast as it doubles down on smarter technology, deeper personalisation, and more engaging digital products.

With this move, Condé Nast is positioning itself for a future where AI plays a central role in shaping how readers discover and consume content.