Link: OpenAI and Microsoft announce a $10M AI local news project operated by the Lenfest Institute, starting with five US metro news organizations (Sara Fischer/Axios)

OpenAI and Microsoft are financing a significant $10 million AI program for local journalism, managed by the Lenfest Institute. This partnership supports five major U.S. newsrooms, initiating with entities like Chicago Public Media and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The involvement of OpenAI and Microsoft in local journalism expands innovation capabilities significantly. Each selected newsroom receives $500,000 for projects aimed at sustaining local news.

This fellowship is focused solely on funding and does not entail any licensing or data trading for training AI at both companies. It reflects an ongoing commitment to bolster local journalism editorially and commercially.

Examples of AI application include The Philadelphia Inquirer developing a conversational search for its archives, while The Seattle Times enhances advertising analytics. Meanwhile, Chicago Public Media will leverage AI for content translation and summarization.

The project underscores a strong emphasis on collaborative learning and knowledge sharing among local news outlets. Jim Friedlich of the Lenfest Institute highlights that this initiative fosters a robust experimental environment across multiple news organizations.

While OpenAI has engaged more with national news in the past, this project marks a deeper involvement with local news ecosystems, ensuring access to advanced tools for smaller publishers. "There is a shared, genuine interest in nurturing the long-term viability of local news," remarks Tom Rubin from OpenAI.

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