AI & Local News Challenge

The AI & Local News Challenge — supported by Knight Foundation — was an opportunity for startup, university and news organization teams to develop and advance projects that use AI to address the needs of local news organizations and audiences.

Running for two consecutive years, with two separate challenges and cohorts, select teams from universities and start-ups participated in weekly cohort sessions with local news experts and AI news startup founders. Teams received support and feedback, engaged with local newsrooms and other news agencies via NYCML-facilitated introductions, and enhanced their AI prototypes to address the needs of local newsrooms. Through this program, the teams increased their knowledge of innovation in local news and building AI news products, expanded their networks, honed their ideas, and explored the potential of AI and automation in news.