Introducing AI is second only to ‘shifting revenue models’ as a major challenge facing worldwide newsrooms, says a global study by INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR JOURNALISTS. ICFJ canvassed newsrooms in 149 countries and 14 languages and had 4,100 journalists and news managers participate. The study was supported by Google News Initiative.
There are training gaps in the kinds of skills journalists are seeking:
- The greatest split is in understanding AI: respondents say training is offered in 5% of newsrooms while 42% are interested.
- The greatest demand is for data skills: 79% say they want training in data analysis/working with data but only 41% say it presently is available to them.
- Respondents say they also want to gain skills in cybersecurity, podcasting, fact-checking tools, and promoting their work on social media.
- Current training programs tend to be in production for video and audio.
- More than two-thirds of respondents said ‘digital tools have a positive impact.’
The 82-page report also covers business models, leadership, tools, and practices.

AUTHOR
Diana Owen – Professor at CCT
Fatima Bahja and Sharon Moshavi – ICFJ, credited for assistance in writing the report
SEE FULL REPORT
The State of Technology in Global Newsrooms
ICFJ 2019 | October 15, 2019