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The JournalismAI Strategy Lab Africa is a no-cost, five-week virtual professional development programme designed for journalists and media professionals across Africa who want to make informed decisions about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism and newsroom operations.

The programme is designed by the JournalismAI team at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), with support from Google. It brings together up to 20 participants from across Africa for expert-led masterclasses, practical workshops, peer discussions and newsroom-focused learning.

Key Responsibilities / Programme Activities

The five-week programme includes two live sessions per week and individual assignments. Participants are expected to dedicate approximately five hours per week.

The programme covers five learning modules:

• Module 1: AI in Practice: Concepts & Applications (26 and 28 January 2027).
• Module 2: Data, Tools & Workflow (2 and 4 February 2027).
• Module 3: Generative AI for Journalism (9 and 11 February 2027).
• Module 4: Risks, Ethics & Editorial Governance (16 and 17 February 2027).
• Module 5: From Ideation to Implementation (23 and 25 February 2027).

Activities include:

• Live expert presentations and masterclasses.
• Practical workshops on AI tools and newsroom workflows.
• Individual assignments.
• Structured peer discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Developing an action plan or project proposal for participants’ newsrooms.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be journalists or media professionals working in a newsroom in Africa.
• Be employed by or formally affiliated with a recognised news organisation.
• Be fluent in English.
• Demonstrate an interest in applying AI strategically in journalism and newsroom operations.
• Be able to dedicate approximately five hours per week throughout the programme.

The programme welcomes applicants from all career stages, professional roles and newsroom sizes, including editors, senior journalists, product leads and founders of small independent media outlets.

The programme is not open to:

• Freelancers without formal affiliation with a news organisation.
• Journalists who are not fluent in English.
• Journalists based outside Africa.

No coding or technical background is required.

Benefits and Support

Selected participants will receive:

• Free participation in the five-week programme.
• A practical understanding of AI applications and limitations in journalism.
• Hands-on experience evaluating and using AI tools.
• Knowledge of AI-related risks, ethics and editorial governance.
• An opportunity to develop an action plan or project proposal for their newsroom.
• Networking and peer-learning opportunities with media professionals from across Africa.
• A programme certificate.

Application Process

Interested applicants should:

1. Complete the official online application form.
2. Provide information about their professional background, newsroom and proposed work during the programme.
3. Prepare and submit a letter of intent. Applicants may use or adapt the provided template.
4. Upload a letter of organisational commitment from their employer.
5. Submit the completed application before the deadline.

The programme is free of charge.

Application Deadline: 29 November 2026, 11:59 PM GMT.

Programme Duration: Five weeks.

Programme Format: Virtual / Online.

Application Link: Use the official application form available on the programme website.

Official Website: https://www.lse.ac.uk/JournalismAI/