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The JournalismAI Strategy Lab is a no-cost, five-week virtual professional development programme designed for journalists and media professionals across Africa who want to develop a deeper understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its practical application in journalism and newsroom operations.

Designed by the JournalismAI team at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), through Polis, and supported by Google, the programme aims to help media professionals make informed decisions about integrating AI into their editorial processes, workflows, and newsroom strategies.

The programme brings together up to 20 participants from across Africa for expert-led masterclasses, practical workshops, structured peer discussions, and collaborative learning. Participants will develop practical knowledge and an action plan or project proposal to strengthen AI adoption within their news organisations.

Key Responsibilities / Programme Activities

• Participate in a five-week virtual JournalismAI Strategy Lab.
• Attend two live online sessions each week, including expert-led presentations and practical workshops.
• Complete individual assignments requiring approximately one hour per week.
• Explore practical applications of AI in journalism and newsroom operations.
• Develop skills in evaluating and working with AI tools in a structured environment.
• Examine data, AI tools, newsroom workflows, and generative AI applications.
• Understand the risks, ethical considerations, and editorial governance associated with AI adoption.
• Participate in peer discussions and exchange experiences with journalists and media professionals from across Africa.
• Develop a concrete AI action plan or project proposal to take back to their respective newsrooms.

The programme covers five learning modules:

1. AI in Practice: Concepts & Applications
2. Data, Tools & Workflow
3. Generative AI for Journalism
4. Risks, Ethics & Editorial Governance
5. From Ideation to Implementation

Participants are expected to dedicate approximately five hours per week to the programme.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be journalists or media professionals working in newsrooms in Africa.
• Applicants must be employed by or formally affiliated with a recognised news organisation.
• Applicants must demonstrate fluency in English.
• Applicants should have an interest in understanding and applying AI within journalism and newsroom operations.
• Applicants from all career stages, professional roles, and newsroom sizes are welcome.
• Priority will be given to candidates who can transfer the knowledge and skills gained to their organisations, including editors, senior journalists, product leads, and founders of small independent media outlets.

Additional requirements and restrictions:

• Freelancers without formal affiliation with a news organisation are not eligible.
• Applicants who are not fluent in English are not eligible.
• Applicants based outside Africa are not eligible.
• No coding experience or technical background is required.
• Applicants must provide a letter of organisational commitment from their employer as part of the application.

Benefits and Support

• Free participation in the five-week JournalismAI Strategy Lab.
• Access to expert-led masterclasses and practical online workshops.
• Hands-on experience evaluating and working with AI tools.
• Practical knowledge of AI applications in journalism and newsroom operations.
• Understanding of AI-related risks, ethics, and editorial governance.
• Development of a concrete AI action plan or project proposal for implementation within their newsroom.
• Opportunity to connect and network with up to 20 journalists and media professionals from across Africa.
• Professional learning and knowledge exchange with peers facing similar challenges in African newsrooms.
• Certificate of participation.

Funding Status: No-cost programme. Participation is free.

Application Process

Interested applicants should:

1. Visit the official JournalismAI Strategy Lab website and review the programme information and eligibility requirements.
2. Complete the official online application form.
3. Provide information about their professional background, news organisation, and proposed work during the programme.
4. Upload a letter of organisational commitment from their employer.
5. Submit the completed application before the deadline.

Applicants may use or adapt the official letter of intent template provided by the organisers.

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: 29 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT.
• Programme Duration: Five weeks.
• Introductory Week: Included in the five-week programme.
• Programme Modules: 26 January – 25 February 2027.
• Format: Virtual / Online.
• Cohort Size: Up to 20 participants.

Official Website: https://www.journalismai.info/

Application Link: Available through the official JournalismAI Strategy Lab application page.

Organising Institution: JournalismAI, Polis at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Supporting Partner: Google.