The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY is launching two new AI training programs for journalists in 2027, including one in partnership with Project C, the research hub and community for journalists building independent, audience-driven media businesses. Applications for both programs are open now through October 16, 2026.
AI Journalism Lab: Leaders and AI Journalism Lab: Creators, in partnership with Project C, are both tuition-free thanks to support from Microsoft.
Throughout six cohorts so far, the popular AI Journalism Lab series has followed the industry’s top AI questions as they came up: whether to use AI tools, how to lead an organization through this tech revolution, what adoption means for an industry whose value rests on audience trust, and more.
“Every year the lab goes where the hardest question is,” said Marie Gilot, Executive Director of J+, the professional development arm of the Newmark J-School. “This year, we aim to explore AI dilemmas and opportunities with two constituencies: The people running newsrooms and the people who are their own newsroom. Both groups are making important AI decisions that will shape the future of journalism.”
“Through the AI Journalism Labs, news leaders and creators will have the opportunity to explore AI with the same curiosity, skepticism and commitment to public service they bring to their work every day. Microsoft is proud to support this program, grounded in our belief that trust is built through hands-on experience, thoughtful experimentation and a clear understanding of both the opportunities and limitations of AI,” said Emily Brown, Journalism Director at Microsoft.
AI Journalism Lab: Leaders runs January to April 2027 for journalists in leadership, strategy, editorial, tech and product roles. It returns for a third year with lead instructor Anita Zielina, founder of Better Leaders Lab. “The Leaders Lab is a unique program that empowers executives and managers to drive transformation and create value in the age of AI. They’ll explore what leading a team and an organization should look like in an AI-empowered company, how to decide on ethical and strategic boundaries, and how to design new products and business models in an AI-transformed value chain,” Zielina said.
AI Journalism Lab: Creators runs January to May 2027 for independent journalists and content creators who own their audience relationship, and is offered in partnership with Project C, the home of creator journalism. Project C will help design the curriculum and teach and host classes. “AI is a crucial tool for journalists making the transition into an independent career in the creator ecosystem. I’m excited about the program we’ve developed here – it gives solo operators a good grounding in the tools and how to use them while also making explicit how to approach their use ethically,” said Liz Kelly Nelson, founder of Project C.
By the end of the Creators lab, participants will be able to assess and choose AI tools with a critical eye, protect and strengthen audience trust in an AI era, use AI to amplify their voice rather than dilute it, apply AI to the business of being a creator and not only to the craft, and build sustainable workflows that let them operate without a newsroom behind them.
Both tracks include a mandatory in-person session in New York followed by online classes, and require the completion of an individual project guided by coaches. Each lab can accommodate 20-25 journalists and is open to candidates in the United States and abroad. We encourage journalists from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply to this inclusive program.
Sign up for an info session webinar on Tuesday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET to hear about the program and ask any questions.
About J+: J+ is the professional training arm of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY with 10 years of experience in delivering high-quality training to media professionals in person, virtually, and in hybrid formats.
About Project C: Project C is the research hub, community and educational home for journalists building sustainable, independent media businesses.