The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY), which provides affordable, hands-on master’s degree programs that train students in investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, and community-centred journalism, is now inviting applications from journalists around the world for its AI Journalism Labs, a tuition-free programme designed to help journalists and media executives understand and use generative artificial intelligence responsibly.
The three-to-six-month hybrid programme, supported by Microsoft, will provide participants with practical and theoretical knowledge of generative AI. It will also enable them to explore how the technology can be used ethically in journalism to strengthen public trust, improve media impact, and contribute meaningfully to discussions on AI.
The programme has held six previous cohorts since 2024, including the AI Journalism Lab Pilot, Leadership, Adoption, Leaders, Builders, and the AI Community Engagement Lab. The AI Journalism Lab: Builders was organised in partnership with the Nordic AI Journalism Network. Applications are open for two 2027 tracks: AI Journalism Lab: Leaders and AI Journalism Lab: Creators. Both programmes are open to international applicants and will include a mandatory in-person kick-off in York, followed by online classes.
The AI Journalism Lab: Leaders will run from January 13 to April 23, 2027. It is designed for newsroom leaders, editors, and media executives who make decisions on newsroom strategy, people, products, or budgets. The programme will help participants make evidence-based decisions on the use of AI in their organisations, including its impact on ethics, culture, and newsroom management.
On the other hand, the AI Journalism Lab: Creators will run from January 27 to May 13, 2027, in partnership with Project C, the home of Creator Journalism. It is aimed at independent journalists and content creators, including newsletter writers, podcasters, video and audio journalists, and solo publishers. The Creators track will help participants assess AI tools critically, protect audience trust, strengthen their individual voices, and build sustainable workflows for publishing at scale. Project C will help design the curriculum and teach classes throughout the programme.
Participants in both tracks will gain confidence in using AI tools ethically and fairly, deepen their understanding of emerging technologies, and learn how AI affects journalism ethics. They will also receive support for their career development and become part of a community working to shape responsible AI use in journalism.
Applicants are required to submit a completed application form, a résumé, an idea for an AI challenge they would like to research or experiment with during the programme, and contact details for two references. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee before a final decision is made.
Applications close on October 16, 2026.
For more information, visit https://www.journalism.cuny.edu/j-plus/ai-journalism-labs/.
