Berlin, Germany, October 17th, 2024  

Hostwriter is proud to announce that it has been selected by the Centre for Public Impact to receive funding to train and equip journalists, creators and members of the press in Europe with skills on AI knowledge, and tools needed for long-term professional success. 

Through the Centre for Public Impact’s program, Hostwriter  will receive support to deliver impactful, localized AI training to freelance journalists. The Centre for Public Impact is a global not-for-profit that supports governments, philanthropy, civil society and communities. The program is funded by Google.org to deliver the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund. In the framework of the project a total of 100 journalists and media professionals will be trained on AI tools, to investigate, research and to adapt to the changing media landscape. Participating journalists and creators will receive a stipend to cover their attendance in the training.

Hostwriter powers the collaborative future of journalism and has done so over the last 10 years addressing structural issues in the media, enhancing cross border collaborations thorugh its network of 6882 journalists from 163 countries.

Within the Hostwriter community, journalists are trained on shifting power dynamics in the field, and most of the members within the community of journalists are from diverse backgrounds, domiciled in 163 countries of the world, training is organize online for journalists to address gaps within the media sector.

“We understand that AI is going to impact us and we all have to decide how we want society to be shaped and journalists, creators. Especially members of the press are at the center of these decisions, from regulation to unchecked harm and outsized power of Big Tech companies – especially where they disproportionately affect marginalized groups”, said Mery Abang, Co-Managing Director of Hostwriter Network.

 

The funding is foreseen to equip freelance  journalists to ensure they can acquire the AI skills they need. By providing journalists with AI training and resources, “we hope to help close the skills gap and build their resilience in the face of rapid technological change”. 

The Google.org AI Opportunity Fund is an AI skilling initiative designed to equip workers, especially those who need more support to upskill themselves, with the foundational AI knowledge and tools needed for long-term professional success.

With support from the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Europe, the Centre for Public Impact is offering a comprehensive package of support, including bespoke AI training developed by Google and external partners, tailored support, and a total of €15 million in funding. Hostwriter is one of nine non-profit organizations selected to participate in this initiative to empower vulnerable communities, close the AI skills gap, and ensure everyone can benefit from AI’s potential. 

Hostwriter is a non-profit organization; our training sessions are free for journalists.

If you’re a funder or a grantee and want to get in touch to support the work we do, contact our co-managing director Mercy Abang.