APAC Newsroom AI Catalyst Programme

This programme combines expert guidance with hands-on experience, equipping newsroom stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to drive strategic AI initiatives. Participants will leave with a prototype and a clear roadmap to scale up their artificial intelligence operations in the newsroom.

The first cohort is fully subscribed, and the second accelerator will run from February to April 2025. Each accelerator includes three months of intensive hybrid training and discussion. Participation in the programme is complimentary for selected media, with no course fees, thought travel costs are to be borne by the participating media companies.

Modules

• The Newsroom AI Catalyst accelerator programme includes 10 learning modules:
  • Module 1: The AI News Landscape: Essentials and Opportunities
  • Module 2: Use Cases for AI in Journalism
  • Module 3: Building an AI Strategy
  • Module 4: Data-Driven News Production
  • Module 5: AI for Audience Insights and Engagement
  • Module 6: AI-Powered Content Generation
  • Module 7: Workflow Integration and Change Management
  • Module 8: Measuring Success and ROI for AI Initiatives
  • Module 9: Monetization and Sustainability with AI
  • Module 10: The Future of Journalism with AI

Eligibility Criteria

• Each accelerator is open to up to 16 newsrooms based in the Asia Pacific region.
• Each newsroom must nominate at least two representatives who commit to the three-month-long programme and attend the two in-person workshops.
• Nominees from each newsroom agree to develop an AI prototype to solve a specific problem or increase efficiency in their newsrooms.
• Media companies can nominate up to three additional representatives in different job roles to attend the online sessions and form an in-house cross-functional team.

Selection Criteria

• News media companies that intend to roll out AI initiatives in their news organisations are invited to apply. We will ensure sufficient diversity in terms of countries and newsroom sizes for each accelerator.
• Companies should nominate and commit two mid-to-senior-level newsroom executives for the full duration of the programme.
• Editorial participants should be mid-to-senior newsroom leaders, such as editors-in-chief and managing editors, members of the masthead, (e.g. digital editors) or younger leaders groomed for succession.
• All participants must have spoken and working proficiency in English.
• The company will be required to sign a “Letter of Commitment” upon acceptance into the programme.

For more information, visit World Association of News Publisher.