ProPublica introduced Wednesday it’s becoming a member of a cross-industry effort to discover how synthetic intelligence applied sciences can responsibly contribute to the work of investigative journalism. As a part of this system, ProPublica will hire an engineer for the two-year fellowship. This system is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and can embrace 4 different newsrooms: The Boston Globe, The Dallas Morning Information, The Baltimore Banner and Arizona State College’s NEWSWELL.
At ProPublica, the engineer will discover how machine studying would possibly assist its award-winning engagement reporting group, which powers lots of our most bold, crowdsourced investigations. From callouts and tip lines to citizen-fueled science, these reporters collect leads and proof from communities across the nation. We’re desirous to discover how massive language fashions may help us consider, categorize and route incoming suggestions extra effectively — guaranteeing they attain the best journalist, quicker.
“We imagine these applied sciences have the potential to assist our journalists and our readers discover needles within the haystack,” stated Ben Werdmuller, senior director of expertise. “We’re excited to discover what’s doable in ways in which align with our values and requirements.”
As a part of this system, the collaborating information organizations will work collaboratively with each other and the broader information {industry} to share what they be taught, product developments, case research and technical data wanted to assist replicate their work in different newsrooms.
The aim of the Lenfest AI Collaborative and Fellowship is to assist native information publishers leverage new AI expertise to construct sustainable companies. This system launched in October 2024 with $10 million in help from OpenAI and Microsoft — every awarding $2.5 million in direct funding and $2.5 million in software program and enterprise credit.
“The Lenfest Institute is proud to accomplice with OpenAI and Microsoft to develop the AI Collaborative and Fellowship program. The 5 publishers becoming a member of this system are leaders within the area, and we sit up for sharing what they be taught with the remainder of the {industry},” stated Lenfest Institute Government Director and CEO Jim Friedlich. “Along with Open AI and Microsoft, the Institute is dedicated to exploring moral makes use of of AI to advance sustainable options for native information.”
About ProPublica
ProPublica is an unbiased, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism within the public curiosity. With a group of greater than 150 devoted journalists, ProPublica covers a spread of matters, specializing in tales with the potential to spur real-world impression. Its reporting has contributed to the passage of latest legal guidelines; reversals of dangerous insurance policies and practices; and accountability for leaders at native, state and nationwide ranges. Because it started publishing in 2008, ProPublica has obtained eight Pulitzer Prizes, 5 Peabody Awards, eight Emmy Awards and 16 George Polk Awards.
About The Lenfest Institute for Journalism
The Lenfest Institute creates options for the following period of native information by investing in sustainable enterprise fashions on the intersection of native journalism and group in Philadelphia and nationwide.
