• by Ray Schultz , July 19, 2023

OpenAI is attempting to help local news organizations with a $5 million contribution to the American Journalism Project and up to $5 million in OpenAI API credits to help publishers deploy AI technologies. 

The news follows by days the announcement that OpenAI is collaborating with Associated Press to share access to news content and consider potential use cases for generative AI.

The arrangement with the AJP is designed to “promote ways for AI to enhance — rather than imperil — journalism,” says Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project.

AJP hopes to build a support structure for community-driven local news organizations to expand their capacities through AI. The partnership will also support AJP’s efforts to counter mis- and disinformation. 

AJP and its roster of local news organizations will use the funds from OpenAI to:

• Creating a technology and AI studio — AJP will assemble a team to assess the applications of AI within the local news sector. 
• Making pilot investments — AJP will provide direct grants to approximately ten of its portfolio organizations to help them explore opportunities to utilize AI’s capabilities.

Founded in 2019, AJP has raised $139 million from local and national funders, and has backed 41 nonprofit local news organizations across the country.