PHILADELPHIA, October 22, 2024 – The Lenfest Institute for Journalism has announced a groundbreaking $10 million collaboration with OpenAI and Microsoft to transform local journalism through artificial intelligence innovation.
The initiative launches with five major metropolitan news organizations receiving grants for two-year AI fellowships: Chicago Public Media, The Minnesota Star Tribune, Newsday, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Seattle Times.
Each organization will pursue specific AI projects ranging from content analysis to enhancement of business operations.
“We are pleased to be working with both OpenAI and Microsoft on this important initiative to support local news,”
Said Jim Friedlich, Executive Director and CEO of The Lenfest Institute.
“Through these fellowships — and by sharing results with the broader news industry — we will help empower local newsrooms to explore, implement, and advocate for AI business solutions.”
As part of the Program, OpenAI and Microsoft are also providing $2.5 million in direct funding and $2.5 million in software credit.
This initiative seeks to create AI-powered technologies that are effective and efficient and can be used by other newsrooms in different parts of the country.
“While nothing will replace the central role of reporters, we believe that AI technology can help in the research, investigation, distribution and monetization of important journalism,”
Stated Tom Rubin, Chief of Intellectual Property and Content at OpenAI.
“We need local journalism to inform and educate citizens, expose wrongdoing, and encourage civic engagement,”
Emphasized Teresa Hutson, Corporate Vice President of Technology for Fundamental Rights at Microsoft.
The chosen institutions will pay attention to various scopes of AI, like transcribing and interpreting services, maintaining record keeping, analyzing publicly available information, and other advertising options.
This activity is part of the Local Independent News Coalition (LINC) and will share its scope and findings throughout relevant sectors to promote AI technologies in journalism.
In a second round of grants, three more organizations will participate in the initiative, thereby increasing the scope of the program and, consequently, its influence on the local news media landscape.
What is your reaction?
