ProPublica Taps AI Experts to Drive Responsible News Reporting Innovation

ProPublica Names Dana Chiueh and Aaron Brezel as Lenfest AI Engineering Fellows In a move to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in responsible news reporting, ProPublica has selected Dana Chiueh and Aaron Brezel as its first AI engineering fellows. The two-year fellowships are part of the Lenfest Institutes AI Collaborative and Fellowship program, a nationwide effort supported by Microsoft and OpenAI. According to Ben Werdmuller, ProPublicas senior director of technology, "We're thrilled to welcome Dana and Aaron as our first AI engineering fellows. Their unique combination of technical expertise and journalism experience positions them perfectly to help us explore how AI can safely enhance investigative reporting while maintaining the rigorous standards, ethical principles, and human expertise that define ProPublicas work." Chiueh, who was most recently a news innovation engineer at the Minnesota Star Tribune, participated in the Lenfest program on behalf of her newsroom. Brezel's background in journalism and technical expertise make him an ideal candidate for this role. The Lenfest AI program selected ProPublica among 10 regional and national news organizations to participate in the fellowships. The program is designed to explore how AI technologies can responsibly contribute to the work of mission-driven newsrooms. ProPublicas participation in the Lenfest AI program is made possible through funding from both the Lenfest Institute and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. The selection of Chiueh and Brezel as ProPublica's first AI engineering fellows marks a significant step forward for the organization in its efforts to integrate AI into its reporting processes. As AI technologies continue to evolve, news organizations like ProPublica are working to ensure that these tools are used responsibly and with transparency. In related developments, Microsoft and OpenAI have announced plans to provide additional funding and resources to support the Lenfest AI program. This expanded support will enable more news organizations to participate in the fellowships and explore the potential of AI in responsible reporting. The implications of this development go beyond ProPublica's walls, as it has the potential to shape the future of journalism and its relationship with AI technologies. As Werdmuller noted, "We're excited to be at the forefront of this effort and to contribute our expertise to the conversation about how AI can be used responsibly in news reporting." The selection of Chiueh and Brezel as ProPublica's first AI engineering fellows is a testament to the organization's commitment to innovation and its willingness to explore new technologies that can enhance its reporting capabilities. As the field of AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ProPublica and other news organizations choose to integrate these tools into their workflows. Background: The Lenfest Institutes AI Collaborative and Fellowship program is a nationwide effort aimed at exploring the potential of AI in responsible news reporting. The program brings together 10 regional and national news organizations, including ProPublica, to develop and implement AI technologies that can enhance investigative reporting while maintaining the highest standards of journalism. Context: ProPublica's participation in the Lenfest AI program is part of a broader effort by the organization to integrate AI into its reporting processes. The selection of Chiueh and Brezel as AI engineering fellows marks a significant step forward for ProPublica in this regard. Perspectives: The implications of this development go beyond ProPublica's walls, as it has the potential to shape the future of journalism and its relationship with AI technologies. As Werdmuller noted, "We're excited to be at the forefront of this effort and to contribute our expertise to the conversation about how AI can be used responsibly in news reporting." Status: The selection of Chiueh and Brezel as ProPublica's first AI engineering fellows marks a significant step forward for the organization in its efforts to integrate AI into its reporting processes. As the field of AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ProPublica and other news organizations choose to integrate these tools into their workflows. Next Developments: The Lenfest AI program is expected to continue its work over the next two years, with a focus on developing and implementing AI technologies that can enhance investigative reporting while maintaining the highest standards of journalism. As the field of AI continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how ProPublica and other news organizations choose to integrate these tools into their workflows. *Reporting by Propublica.*