Applications are now open for the 2026 JournalismAI Skills Lab. The 2026 JournalismAI Skills Lab is a 14-week, free, virtual programme designed for professionals to learn how to practically implement LLMs, GenAI, and agents in their work.
The programme helps individuals upskill in using AI technologies in a hands-on manner. It equips participants to develop their own AI-based tools, prototypes, or proofs-of-concept. The ultimate outcome is to deepen knowledge of building with AI and to enable substantial contributions to interdisciplinary projects within the newsroom.
It is aimed at all individuals who work at the intersection of journalism and technology, including editorial and product staff.
Programme Details
The Skills Lab is a virtual, live instructor-led programme that runs over 14 weeks. The programme includes two sessions per week, each running for two hours. Participants are expected to dedicate 7 hours per week in total to the programme, including self-paced work.
This year, JournalismAI will run two cohorts of the programme:
- A cohort of 15 participants from Africa, Europe, and the Americas
- A cohort of 10 participants from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East
The course commences with product and strategic thinking workshops and coaching by industry leader, Sheena Bhalla, Founder, Module Xero. This is followed by 12 weeks of core instruction on AI technologies that will help you in your journey to develop tools.
Participants leave the Skills Lab with more than a certificate. Here’s what’s waiting for you inside the programme:
- Learning from a curriculum co-designed with a product leaders and data scientists
- Hands-on lessons in creating journalistic proofs-of-concept using GenAI, LLMs, and agents
- ‘Lecture’ and ‘Lab’ learning components, with a great degree of emphasis on hands-on experience
Requirements
- Candidates with at least some knowledge* of how AI systems are being used in journalism including but not limited to data journalists, reporters, editors, visual editors, copyeditors, product professionals etc.
- Ideal candidates possess basic arithmetic and good numeracy skills to excel in the programme**
- Ideal candidates have some knowledge and experience with Python
Prerequisites
- Letter of support from your news organisation allowing you to dedicate time to the course.
- Stable internet connectivity.
- Prior knowledge of Python or the willingness to learn by the time the course commences. You will need to submit a certificate of completion in the case of the latter.
- Participants must be able to commit about 7 hours a week to the programme during the course period.
Method of Application
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: June 21, 2026.
