A new $5 million partnership between the American Journalism Project (AJP) and OpenAI aims to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can support and innovate in the local news sector. The collaboration intends to ensure local news organizations are at the forefront of shaping AI’s future applications in journalism.
Announced by AJP, a venture philanthropy dedicated to revitalizing local news, the partnership will see OpenAI commit $5 million to support AJP’s initiatives and up to $5 million in OpenAI API credits. These resources will help AJP grantees integrate emerging AI technologies into their operations. The partnership also aims to foster dialogue between the local news industry and OpenAI, creating tools to support local news organizations.
Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “To ensure local journalism remains an essential pillar of our democracy, we need to be smart about the potential powers and pitfalls of new technology,” said Berman. She stressed the opportunity for local news organizations and communities to shape AI’s implications during its early development stages.
AI offers substantial opportunities for journalism. It can enhance the analysis of public data, personalize user experiences, and introduce new information delivery formats. At the same time, it poses challenges, including the potential for misinformation and complex issues related to bias, privacy, and copyright. AJP aims to use this partnership to bolster community-driven local news and create healthier information ecosystems to combat misinformation.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted the collaboration’s alignment with their mission. “We proudly support the American Journalism Project’s mission to strengthen our democracy by rebuilding the country’s local news sector,” Altman said. He looks forward to working with AJP and its grantees to explore how AI can enhance local journalism.
The partnership will focus on three main initiatives:
1. **Creating a Technology and AI Studio**: AJP will establish a team to assess AI applications in the local news sector. The studio will provide expert coaching to AJP portfolio organizations, add capacity for exploring AI tools, and collaborate with external partners to support high-quality journalism and impede misinformation.
2. **Making Pilot Investments**: AJP will distribute direct grants to approximately ten portfolio organizations to explore AI’s capabilities. These grantees will pilot various AI applications, serving as examples for the broader local news field.
3. **Allocating API Credits from OpenAI**: OpenAI will provide up to $5 million in API credits to AJP and its portfolio organizations, enabling them to build and use AI-powered tools.
AJP, founded in 2019, has raised $139 million to address the local news crisis and supports 41 nonprofit local news organizations across the country. OpenAI, established in 2015, is dedicated to ensuring general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity.
This partnership marks a significant step towards harnessing AI to support and enhance local journalism, ensuring it remains a vital component of democracy.
You can read the original article here: https://openai.com/index/partnership-with-american-journalism-project-to-support-local-news/
