By
Mayowa Adebajo
July 1st, 2024
As part of the collaboration with AJP, OpenAI will not only provide $5 million in financial support to the NGO foundation but also offer AJP access to its suites of products.
OpenAI, a software development company known for its groundbreaking AI technology ChatGPT, has solidified its commitment to the future of journalism through a strategic partnership with the American Journalism Project (AJP) and a $5 million financial donation. In an official announcement on July 18, the AI research and deployment company unveiled its partnership with the AJP, a venture philanthropy founded in 2019 to support and revitalize local press outlets across the United States.
The financial support provided by OpenAI allows AJP to establish a dedicated technology and AI studio. The studio will serve as a hub for evaluating AI applications, conducting research, and developing best practices for integrating AI into newsrooms. AJP also plans to provide grants to support other media organizations to explore AI’s potential.
AI to Enhance Rather than Imperil Journalism
Through the partnership, OpenAI and AJP will work closely to identify areas where AI technologies can be integrated to augment journalistic practices, improve audience engagement, and address pressing issues such as misinformation and content discovery. By harnessing the power of AI, the alliance aims to drive innovation, foster sustainability, and ensure the continued relevance of journalism in the digital era.
The deal offers local news organizations in the US an opportunity to optimize their operations, discover innovative storytelling techniques, and actively connect with their audiences by harnessing the power of AI to enhance their work.
“We proudly support the American Journalism Project’s mission to strengthen our democracy by rebuilding the country’s local news sector. This collaboration underscores our mission and belief that AI should benefit everyone and be used to enhance work,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
Commenting on the partnership, Sarabeth Berman, the CEO at AJP, emphasized the importance of being cautious regarding the potential benefits and challenges that new technology brings to preserve local journalism as a vital cornerstone of the democratic society. She further noted that AI can promote journalism instead of imperil it.
“In these early days of generative AI, we have the opportunity to ensure that local news organizations, and their communities, are involved in shaping its implications. With this partnership, we aim to promote ways for AI to enhance – rather than imperil – journalism,” said Berman.
OpenAI Offers $5 Million Worth of API Credits to AJP
As part of the collaboration with the American Journalism Project, OpenAI will not only provide $5 million in financial support to the NGO foundation but also offer AJP access to its suites of products. The AI research and deployment company will grant $5 million worth of API credits to AJP and its portfolio organizations. These credits will give AJP comprehensive access to OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI products and resources, enabling the NGO foundation to explore and implement innovative AI-driven solutions in their newsrooms.
Meanwhile, the latest donation comes a few days after Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, committed $200,000 to support President Biden’s re-election campaign. Fox Business reported that in June, the OpenAI boss donated to the Biden Victory Fund last, a campaign group dedicated to ensuring the US president maintains his position as the President of the United States in the upcoming election.