JournalismAI Academy 2025 Free Online Programme for Journalists in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Omran Aburayya
- May 29
- 2 min read
If you're a journalist or media professional based in Sub-Saharan Africa and eager to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform your newsroom, the JournalismAI Academy 2025 offers a unique, fully-funded opportunity. Organized by the JournalismAI team at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and supported by the Google News Initiative, this free online programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to integrate AI into your journalistic practices.
📌 Programme Summary
Location: Online (Virtual)
Host Institution: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Type: Professional Training
Target Group: Journalists and media professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa
Fields of Focus: Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
Funding: Fully funded; no cost
Award Duration: 5 weeks
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM GMT
Start Date: July 2025
Eligible To: Journalists and media professionals working in newsrooms within Sub-Saharan Africa
📰 Programme Overview
The JournalismAI Academy is a comprehensive 5-week virtual training programme aimed at empowering journalists to harness the potential of AI in their newsrooms. Since its inception in 2021, the Academy has trained over 180 newsroom professionals globally. In 2025, the focus is on Sub-Saharan Africa, selecting 20 participants from the region.
The programme combines expert-led masterclasses with interactive discussions, guiding participants through the development of resources to support AI adoption in their organizations. The curriculum is structured into five core modules, each focusing on different aspects of AI in journalism:
Understanding AI & Its Applications: Foundational concepts like machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing/generation, along with practical AI tools and their applications in journalism.
Data & Technology: Importance of data and technology in AI implementation, including data privacy and security concerns.
Generative AI for Journalism: Exploration of generative AI tools and strategies for their efficient use in journalism.
Risks & Concerns: Identification of risks associated with AI in journalism, such as bias and accountability, and strategies to mitigate them.
From Ideation to Implementation: Development of new ideas for AI tools to enhance journalistic work through brainstorming and group exercises.
⚠️ Participants are expected to dedicate approximately 4 hours per week, including live presentations, workshops, and individual assignments.
🎓 Programme Benefits
Enhanced AI Literacy: Gain a practical understanding of AI technologies and their applications in journalism.
Skill Development: Learn new methods and skills to experiment and prototype AI-driven ideas.
Networking: Develop a regional network of like-minded news innovators.
Strategic Implementation: Equip yourself with tools to guide AI adoption in your newsroom.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Professional Affiliation: Must be a journalist or media professional working in a newsroom within Sub-Saharan Africa.
Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required.
Technical Requirements: No coding skills needed; a stable internet connection is essential.
Organizational Support: Applicants must provide a letter of commitment from their organization's management.
Exclusions: Freelancers and journalists based outside Sub-Saharan Africa are not eligible.
📝 Application Procedure
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM GMT.
Application Process: Submit your application through the official JournalismAI Academy website.
Required Documents: Letter of commitment from your organization's management.
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
