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GOOGLE News Initiative (GNI) has teamed up with digital consultancy firm Bastion Digital to conduct workshops on artificial intelligence (AI) for Philippine journalists.

The GNI AI Workshops Program, which runs from February to June next year, is a 16-week long course that seeks to provide generative AI training and tools for Philippine newsrooms and journalists to improve their reporting.

“Google is deeply invested in the Philippines’ digital future and the responsible adoption of generative AI,” said Jackie Wang, Google country director for Thailand and the Philippines, said in a statement.

“The Google News Initiative is committed to enhancing journalism’s crucial role in an informed and progressive society, particularly as the 2025 midterm elections draw near. We’re proud and excited to offer Filipino journalists AI training designed to improve accuracy, efficiency, and innovation in their reporting,” Ms. Wang added.

The Commission on Elections said the AI workshops for newsrooms would help ensure truthful and accurate reporting ahead of the midterm elections.

“Upskilling a key electoral stakeholder will no doubt contribute toward ensuring a free, orderly, honest, and credible electoral exercise,” John Rex C. Laudiangco, director — education and information department at Comelec, also said.

As of last year, 32% of newsrooms reported already using generative AI tools creating news content, according to a survey by market research platform Statista.

News organizations participating in the workshop must be based in the Philippines and serve Filipino audiences. It must commit two to three people participants for the program.

“This program, led by principal AI consultant Shaun Davies, encourages a ‘test and learn’ approach, empowering organizations to embrace innovation at their own pace,” Bastion Digital Director Janni Ruall said.

Interested news organizations may apply until end-January 2025. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

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