As news publishers grapple with declining revenues and the need to produce high-quality content efficiently, AI adoption offers a potential solution. In this context, WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, has partnered with OpenAI to launch the Newsroom AI Catalyst, an accelerator program designed to help newsrooms fast-track their AI adoption and implementation.
The Newsroom AI Catalyst is an intensive three-month program that combines expert guidance with hands-on experience to equip newsroom stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to drive AI adoption. The program aims to assist 128 newsrooms across Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and South Asia in exploring and integrating AI into their operations.
OpenAI is funding and providing technical assistance to the initiative. The program includes learning modules, hands-on workshops, a mini hackathon, and a showcase. Participants will kick off the program with an in-person workshop and start their AI prototyping projects.
The hope of AI adoption is that newsrooms can streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately produce high-quality journalism that engages their audience.
Vincent Peyregne, CEO of WAN-IFRA, emphasises the importance of AI in addressing the challenges faced by news enterprises: "News enterprises across the globe have come under pressure from declining advertising and print subscription revenues. The adversity confronting news leaves communities without access to a shared basis of facts and shared values, and puts democracy itself at risk. AI technologies have the potential to positively influence the sustainability of news organisations."
As Tom Rubin, Chief of Intellectual Property and Content at OpenAI, states: "We are excited to collaborate with WAN-IFRA and news publishers around the world to cultivate a healthy, sustainable ecosystem that promotes quality journalism."