Perplexity has donated $250,000 to Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, to support research on AI's impact on journalism.
The gift aims to bolster Medill's exploration of how AI can enhance journalistic practices while maintaining accuracy and transparency. Professor Jeremy Gilbert, Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy, will spearhead the research at Medill's Knight Lab.
"Generative AI is reshaping the journalism landscape," said Gilbert. "AI is changing the landscape at a rapid pace, and Medill is committed to understanding how the industry will need to evolve and how we can use this technology responsibly."
The research will focus on developing AI-powered tools for journalism and improving news consumers' experiences with media. Medill will also gain access to Perplexity's data, insights, and employees, as well as publisher partners like The Texas Tribune, to enhance their studies.
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas emphasised the potential of AI in journalism, stating, "AI can be a powerful tool for researching, fact-checking, and improving the accessibility of key reporting, but we need to operate with a framework that prioritises quality and reliability."
This initiative follows Perplexity's recently launched Publishers' Program, which offers revenue-sharing and technological benefits to news publishers. The programme underscores the company's commitment to fostering collaboration between AI firms and news organisations.
As AI continues to transform the media landscape, this research aims to ensure that news publishers can adapt and thrive in the evolving digital ecosystem. The partnership between Perplexity and Medill represents a significant step towards understanding and harnessing AI's potential in journalism.