Steps to viability through artificial intelligence implementation in independent public interest newsrooms

At the ARIJ Forum in Amman, Jordan, IMS brought together partners from Zimbabwe and Columbia to share what they’ve learned after a year of experimentation in AI.

Our methodology includes carrying out context specific mapping and conceptual work and an AI Impact Fund to support implementation and deployment. We have helped support the mapping of AI use cases in MENA, Africa and the emerging markets, through innovation funds in Asia, with AI Impact Funds launching in Indonesia and MENA in spring 2024.

IMS is committed to addressing the gap between hype and reality. We work to bring together diverse groups in the development, deployment and management of the technologies that make up the web.

Our work is intended to broaden who participates in AI discussions, development and governance, while promoting the innovation and competition that contribute to the resilience of newsrooms. Our interest and focus are on expert capacity building in implementation and deployment.

Head of Journalism and Media Viability Dr Clare Cook said: “We are channelling our support into how to move off the starting line to understand the role and potential of AI in the sourcing, production and distribution of news in local resource-strapped and under-skilled newsrooms.

“We are already seeing impact in terms of resource efficiencies, streamlined processes and cost savings, which are just as much a contributor to business viability as commercial sustainability. This is where we find the richest knowledge to move the dial.”

The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) is a digital-based organisation and creative hub that deploys new technologies and art to support social movements and civil society, including women and youth organisations, journalists and talented change-makers with a special focus on marginalised communities in Zimbabwe. CITE uses social media and alternative media platforms to create, share and disseminate information to raise awareness on community issues, governance and current affairs in Bulawayo and Matabeleland. They have used generative AI with the creation of pioneering newsreader called Alice, using tools such as Flexclip, Synthesia and Canva. Their next step is to explore monetisation on What’s App using AI.

Zenzele Ndebele said: “Like puppetry or satire, we have been able to hold power to account as we can challenge politicians with Alice while keeping some distance.”

During the election, CITE developed content profiling the candidates and rating the councillors. Alice freed up time for reporters to get more interviews and input. Many more staff would have been needed to achieve the production of daily, weekly and featured video casts.  

“We wouldn’t have been able to do that if we hadn’t done it with Alice. AI has made efficiencies and streamlined our processes.”

La Silla Vacia in Colombia wanted to address how they might identify false or misleading statements made by politicians during elections to enable quicker and more effective factchecking. They used Chequeabot, by Chequeado. They found collaboration is essential for small and medium-sized news organisations and using or adapting off the shelf tools avoids the need for a developer. They are also exploring how they can reduce the time spent translating audio files to text using tools such as Trint (paid), Pinpoint (free), and Enhance Speech (freemium). Their next step is to explore how journalists can identify, correct and learn from their grammar, writing and spelling mistakes, while also saving time for our editors during the editing process.