AI Accountability Fellowships

The Al Accountability Fellowships seek to support journalists working on in-depth AI accountability stories that examine governments’ and corporations’ uses of predictive and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, medicine, social welfare, the criminal justice system, hiring, and more.

They seek to support journalists and newsrooms that represent the diversity of the communities impacted by AI technologies. The Fellowship is designed for reporters from all beats, desks, and formats who want to broaden, deepen, and diversify reporting on artificial intelligence with an accountability lens.

Journalists need to apply with a reporting project they wish to pursue during their Fellowship. They encourage enterprise and accountability projects that use a variety of approaches—including data analysis, records requests, and shoe-leather reporting—to delve into the real-world impact of algorithms on policy, individuals, and communities.

While they welcome projects on a broad range of issues, this year they are also placing special emphasis on certain topics. They are seeking to support at least one project on transparency and governance in relation to AI. This includes projects that follow the money across borders; shed light on opaque and harmful AI supply chains; or report on legislation, business practices, and organizations that exacerbate the lack of accountability and transparency of AI systems.

The 10-month AI Accountability Fellowships will provide journalists up to $20,000 to pursue their reporting project. The funds can be used to pay for records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends. In addition, the Fellows will have access to mentors and relevant training with a group of peers that will help strengthen their reporting projects.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Staff or freelance journalists working on a wide range of platforms, including print, radio, video, and multimedia.
• Team players with the experience and/or ability to work collaboratively across newsrooms and borders.
• Reporters with a deep interest in how AI impacts the world, and why this issue matters to our global well-being.
• Reporters willing to participate in outreach activities related to their investigations, such as events at schools and universities.
• Reporters can be based anywhere. The Fellowships are remote.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is August 10, 2024. To learn more and apply, please click here.