Explore visual journalism and AI with ONA

By on May 21, 2024

Generative AI technologies have been quickly improving and changing the journalism industry, but the quality and realism of image generation has been perhaps the most dramatic transformation in just several short months. And new advances in visual artificial intelligence are coming, with new tools for developing realistic video and visuals launching more and more.

Journalists need to understand how these tools work and how their newsrooms should be considering ethics, copyright, and tracking misinformation and disinformation as the technology continues to advance. Our teams need to be proactive and prepared for shifts in workforce skills, verifying content, and understanding impacts to traditional distribution models.

ONA is advancing the conversation and education around image generation and AI with a Visual Journalism x AI Mini Series, with several thought leadership, practical training and discussion events that will help you understand how to navigate this new era of information.

Register for upcoming opportunities

Sign up for one session or the whole series. We’ll continue to add sessions as they are confirmed.

May 30 — AI and Visual Journalism: Ethics, tech, copyright and more considerations for newsrooms and photojournalists

The series will kick off with a framing discussion on ethics, copyright and visual strategy. In partnership with the National Press Photographers Association and Poynter, this session will be a high-level look at what newsroom leaders and visual journalists need to know about AI technologies, the considerations you need to take into account and how to be talking about AI and visuals in your newsroom. Register now.

June 18 — Practical Training on Image Creation Tools

Learn how to develop and improve prompts for image creation, check if images were created with AI and examine the legal, ethical and transparency issues surrounding AI and visual journalism. Tools to explore include MidJourney, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly and more. ONA members register for free, non-members $25.

July 9 — AI Innovator Collaborative

The July meeting of our gathering for ONA members experimenting with AI will be all about visual journalism and AI. Join the Collaborative.

July 10 — Image Creation Mini-Lab

This play session is a facilitated opportunity to experiment with prompts, share work with other attendees and get troubleshooting support. Register for free.

July 23 — FakeSpotting: Verifying visuals in the age of generative AI

This practical training will dive into analysis techniques to spot AI-generated content and verify material — beyond the ones you’ve probably heard about, like too many fingers and mangled text.

Support more AI resources

The AI in Journalism Initiative delivers essential resources for journalists and newsroom leaders to understand what emerging tech and trends they should focus on now.

Learn more about the AI in Journalism Initiative

Funding for ONA’s AI in Journalism Initiative is generously provided by Microsoft. To learn more about supporting this AI programming, contact Hanaa Rifaey, Head of Strategic Partnerships, at hanaa@journalists.org. To share a programming idea or for questions about the sessions, connect with Meghan Murphy, Director of Programs, at meghan@journalists.org.

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Meghan Murphy

Meghan Murphy is ONA's Director of Programs. She is currently leading the AI in Journalism Initiative and ONA's emerging technology strategy. She is responsible for creating programs and initiatives to train ONA members and connect them to tackle big issues facing our field.