OpenAI announced on Monday that it will double its backing for the Lenfest Institute's AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program, a move aimed at helping local newsrooms adopt artificial intelligence tools. The expanded commitment brings $5 million in direct funding and up to $5 million in software credits and engineering support, according to OpenAI's announcement. Nieman Lab reported the same doubling, noting the program has already placed AI fellows in 11 local newsrooms across the U.S. since its launch in October 2024, primarily at metro newspapers.
The two sources agree on the core facts: the program is growing, and OpenAI is the funder. Neither source specifies the original funding amount, but both describe the new support as double the previous level. The additional engineering support is a notable detail from OpenAI's own post, while Nieman Lab emphasizes the practical impact on newsrooms—fellows working on AI projects in local outlets.
This expansion signals continued investment in AI for journalism, particularly at a time when local newsrooms face resource constraints. By pairing cash with technical expertise, the program aims to help journalists experiment with AI in ways that are sustainable and relevant to their communities. The next cohort of fellows has not been announced, but the increased support suggests more newsrooms will be added. Both sources frame the move as a positive step, though neither offers independent evaluation of the program's outcomes so far.