Following its successful launch in Europe, India, and the Asia-Pacific region, this edition of the programme brings together sixteen leading publishers from across Latin America for an intensive three-month accelerator.
Sponsored by OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT, the Newsroom AI Catalyst supports 128 newsrooms worldwide in four key regions: Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South Asia. The programme is facilitated by Fathm, a London-based media lab and news consultancy, with coaching from industry experts Tom Trewinnard, Fergus Bell, and their team.
“The Newsroom AI Catalyst provides an unparalleled opportunity for Latin American newsrooms to explore AI’s potential in journalism, fostering innovation and strategic implementation,” said Olga Britto, Director for WAN-IFRA LATAM. “We are excited to expand this initiative to Latin America and collaborate with OpenAI and Fathm to empower publishers in the region.”
A Programme Designed to Drive AI Adoption in Journalism
Participating news organisations will benefit from expert guidance, peer collaboration, and practical workshops addressing AI’s role in content creation, newsroom efficiency, and audience engagement. The official launch event took place in Panama on April 1-2, 2025, marking the start of a three-month journey.
Each newsroom has assembled a multidisciplinary team to navigate AI-driven transformations and explore solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of Latin America’s media landscape.
AI: A Strategic Imperative for Newsrooms
The integration of AI in journalism is no longer a distant concept but an urgent necessity. AI can enhance journalistic workflows, personalise content, and improve data-driven reporting, helping news organisations optimise operations and engage audiences more effectively.
However, AI adoption also presents challenges, including algorithmic bias, risks of misinformation, and ethical concerns. This programme aims to equip newsrooms with the knowledge and strategies to implement AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring that technology enhances rather than compromises journalistic integrity.
“We are eager to participate in the Newsroom AI Catalyst and harness AI’s potential to enhance our journalism,” said Sandra Romero, Director of Strategic Planning at El Economista (Mexico). “This programme will provide invaluable insights, hands-on learning, and a chance to collaborate with fellow media professionals navigating the AI revolution.”
Participating News Organisations
Contact and Inquiries
For more information, please get in touch with:
Olga Britto, Director of WAN-IFRA LATAM
olga.britto@wan-ifra.org
About the Newsroom AI Catalyst
The Newsroom AI Catalyst is an accelerator programme supporting 128 newsrooms across Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South Asia. It combines expert guidance with hands-on experience, equipping newsroom leaders with the knowledge and tools to develop and scale strategic AI initiatives. At the end of the programme, participants will have a working AI prototype and a roadmap for further implementation.
More information at: wan-ifra.org/ai-accelerator/
About
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, is the global organisation of the world’s press, comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies and 40 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. With a mission to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media, WAN-IFRA provides its members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society.
OpenAI is a leading AI research and deployment company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Its mission is to develop safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI). OpenAI is best known for its GPT series of language models, DALL-E for image generation, and Sora for text-to-video AI. openai.com
