Sixteen southeast Asian media companies are taking part in an initial AI accelerator organised by WAN-Ifra in Singapore.

The APAC Newsroom AI Catalyst programme is sponsored by OpenAI, and designed to empower newsrooms with artificial intelligence capabilities.

A first cohort began with a two-day intensive workshop (November 4-5), and will be followed by others open to 128 newsrooms across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and South Asia.

The programme claims to combine expert guidance with hands-on application, “equipping participating newsroom leaders with the knowledge and tools to implement and scale AI initiatives strategically”. Each media company completing the programme will emerge with a prototype and a customised roadmap designed to expand their AI capabilities and enhanced operational efficiencies for creating high-quality content.

Over the next three months, the APAC Newsroom AI Catalyst will feature hybrid training sessions, workshops, and discussions led by WAN-Ifra’s global network, and positions participating brands at the forefront of AI-driven journalism in the region.

The structured approach provides participants with tailored support to address specific challenges and explore innovative applications of AI within their operations. OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT, is funding and providing technical assistance for the initiative.

OpenAI media partnerships lead David Duxin said the programme would provides media organisations with the tools, training, and support to innovate and thrive in today’s changing media environment. “We are pleased to support WAN-Ifra member organisations in exploring AI use cases in their newsrooms and businesses.

“AI has the potential to improve how newsrooms operate – from enhancing workflows, uncovering new insights, or exploring new ways to deliver information,” he said.

Taking part in the programme’s first cohort are Cambodia’s Koh Santepheap Media Group; Kompas Daily and Tempo Digital from Indonesia; Malaysia’s Star Media Group, and The Edge Communications; Philippines-based Inquirer Interactive, newsline.ph, Manila Bulletin Publishing, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Singapore’s Mediacorp, and SPH Media; Joongang Ilbo from South Korea; CommonWealth Magazine, and United Daily News from Taiwan; and Nhan Dan Newspaper, and VnExpress from Vietnam.

For more information, contact Jen Teo at WAN-Ifra Asia Pacific, email: jen.teo@wan-ifra.org