Join ONA for an in-person AI readiness workshop for executives in Great Lakes region newsrooms. This workshop is generously supported by the Joyce Foundation.
Join us for a comprehensive, full-day interactive planning session designed to prepare your organization for AI adoption. The session will include an executive briefing on the current state of AI in journalism. Together, we will develop a framework, create a detailed punch list, forecast budgets, and identify the resource needs for your organization to experiment with and integrate AI into your operations.
Date: Thursday, Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT
Location: 321 N. Clark Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60654
What’s included: Thanks to generous support from The Joyce Foundation, your participation in this full-day workshop will include breakfast and lunch, travel support, and access to follow-up coaching with the trainer after the session to check in on progress and get advice as you implement what you learn during the session.
Who should attend: This workshop is geared towards executives who have final say over budgets and planning in your news organization. (One person per organization please; we will reach out after July 29 if we have more spots available once everyone has a chance to sign up!)
Agenda
8:30-9 a.m. — Networking breakfast
9- 9:15 a.m. — Welcome and introductions
9:15-9:45 a.m. — Executive Briefing on the state of AI x Journalism: Kick off the day with an in-depth overview of the current landscape of AI in journalism. This session will cover global and local trends, ethical challenges, and opportunities for newsrooms. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how AI is reshaping the industry and what this means for their organizations.
9:45-10 a.m. — Break
10-10:30 a.m. — Visualizing Your Organization’s Structure for AI Integration: In this session, participants will create a visual representation of their organization’s current structure. This exercise will help identify key departments, roles, and processes where AI could be integrated. Understanding the organizational layout will set the stage for more targeted and effective AI deployment.
10:30 a.m.-noon — A 2×2 Framework for AI Deployment: This interactive workshop will guide participants through creating a strategic 2×2 framework to plan AI deployment. The session will help executives categorize AI use cases based on individual vs. enterprise applications and internal vs. external deployment, providing a clear roadmap for where and how AI should be implemented.
Noon-1 p.m. — Lunch
1-2 p.m. — Best/Worst Case Scenarios in AI Deployment: Participants will engage in a scenario planning exercise to explore potential best and worst-case outcomes of AI integration. The workshop will focus on identifying risks, opportunities, and the steps needed to mitigate challenges. Executives will leave with a clear understanding of how to navigate the complexities of AI deployment.
2-2:15 p.m. — Break
2:15-3:15 p.m. — Resource Identifications: This session will help participants assess the key resources required for successful AI integration. Through collaborative activities, attendees will identify the talent, training, budget, and consulting needs necessary to support their AI initiatives. The outcome will be a clear resource plan tailored to their organization’s goals.
3:15-3:30 p.m. — Break
3:30-4:20 p.m. — A 12-Month Plan: In the final workshop, participants will develop a detailed 12-month timeline for AI integration. This session will focus on setting key milestones, assigning responsibilities, and ensuring that all necessary resources are in place. The result will be a practical, actionable plan that participants can implement in their newsrooms.
4:20-4:30 p.m. — Closing
About the trainer
More training opportunities
This workshop is part of ONA’s AI in Journalism Initiative, your home for resources to learn, experiment with and incorporate emerging technologies into your day-to-day. Check out our full program offerings and other upcoming AI events.