JournalismAI, an initiative of the London School of Economics (LSE) supported by Google, is accepting applications for the JournalismAI Strategy Lab. Formerly the JournalismAI Academy, it’s a free, five-week online programme that helps journalists and media professionals make clear, responsible decisions about using AI in their newsrooms.
For the first time, this edition is open to newsroom staff from across the whole of Africa, including North Africa. Only 20 people will be selected. Applications close on 29 November 2026 at 11:59pm GMT, which is 12:59am on 30 November in Lagos and 2:59am in Nairobi.
At a Glance
| Organiser | JournalismAI (LSE Polis), supported by Google |
| Format | Online, 5 weeks, about 5 hours a week |
| Cost | Free for selected participants |
| Who can apply | Journalists and media professionals employed by or affiliated with news organisations in Africa |
| Places | Up to 20 |
| Dates | Modules run from late January to late February 2027 |
| Deadline | 29 November 2026, 11:59pm GMT |
What You’ll Learn
- Module 1: AI in practice. What machine learning and large language models are, and how AI is used in journalism (26 and 28 January).
- Module 2: Data, tools and workflow. How to evaluate AI tools and fit them into newsroom workflows (2 and 4 February).
- Module 3: Generative AI for journalism. Opportunities and risks across the news process (9 and 11 February).
- Module 4: Risks, ethics and editorial governance.
- Module 5: From ideation to implementation. Turning ideas into a concrete plan for your newsroom (23 and 25 February).
Each week there’s a 2-hour live session on Tuesday, a 2-hour live workshop on Thursday and about an hour of individual work. Attendance at every session is compulsory.
Benefits
- Free expert-led training from the LSE’s JournalismAI team
- Hands-on experience evaluating and using AI tools
- A concrete AI action plan or project proposal for your newsroom
- A network of peers from newsrooms across Africa
- A certificate of participation
Eligibility
- You must be employed by or formally affiliated with a news organisation in Africa. Freelancers aren’t eligible.
- Fluent English is required.
- No coding or technical background is needed.
- All roles, career stages and newsroom sizes are welcome. Priority goes to people who can bring what they learn back to their organisation, such as editors, senior journalists, product leads, news managers and founders of small independent outlets.
- You need a letter of commitment from your organisation to apply.
How to Apply
- Read the programme details and FAQs on the official page (link below).
- Get a letter of organisational commitment from your employer.
- Complete the online application form and upload the letter.
- Submit before 29 November 2026, 11:59pm GMT.
Optional online information sessions are on 5 November (3pm WAT), 9 November (9am WAT) and 24 November (1pm WAT). Sign up on the official page.
Official JournalismAI Strategy Lab page
Questions: Programme Manager Lwazi Maseko, [email protected]
Tips
- Ask your editor for the commitment letter today. It’s required and often takes time.
- Explain a real AI question your newsroom faces, for example verification, translation into local languages or managing archives.
- Check your calendar. The live sessions are compulsory, so make sure you can attend every Tuesday and Thursday from late January to February.
