While there is abundant literature addressing AI’s impact on journalism and how journalists incorporate these advanced technologies into their workflows, there remains a significant void in understanding the key players developing these AI tools. The AI Market project aims to fill this gap by systematically collecting and analyzing data about companies and innovators designing AI solutions tailored to media outlets and journalists.
Objectives of The AI Market Project
The primary objectives of this project include:
- Identifying key players: Compiling a comprehensive list of companies and individual innovators at the forefront of developing AI tools for journalism.
- Mapping financial links: Analyzing financial investments and ownership structures to understand the economic landscape surrounding these AI tools.
- Assessing impact: Evaluating how these AI tools are used by media organizations and their effectiveness in enhancing journalistic practices.
- Promoting transparency: Providing an open-access database for journalists, researchers, and the public to access detailed information about the developers of AI tools in journalism.
- Assessing quality of chatbot production: Analysis of content produced byh chatbots on sensitive issues for society.
This initiative aligns with our center”’s long-standing tradition of excellence in mapping ownership and financial links across various sectors. By extending this expertise to AI in journalism, the project aims to foster greater transparency and understanding of the AI tools that are increasingly integral to modern journalism.
Methodology
Data Collection
- Primary sources: Direct information from company websites, press releases, and product documentation, trade registries
- Secondary sources: Academic literature, industry reports, and news articles
Data Analysis
- Mapping ownership: Tracing the ownership structures of companies.
- Financial links: Identifying financial relationships and investments among companies.
- Market impact: Analyzing the influence of these companies on the journalism industry.
Expected Outcomes
AI company database
A detailed database of companies creating AI tools for journalism, including:
- Company profiles
- Ownership structures
- Financial data
Analytical reports
Regular reports highlighting:
- Key trends in the AI journalism market
- Major players and their market influence
- Financial dynamics and potential conflicts of interest
- Analyses of the content produced by chatbots, particularly on topics sensitive in various countries.
Transparency
Improved transparency in the AI journalism market, aiding:
- Journalists in understanding the tools they use
- Media outlets in making informed decisions about adopting AI technologies
- Researchers and policymakers in crafting regulations and policies
For more information about The AI Market project and to participate in this initiative, please contact us at [email protected].
Studies
How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Media and Journalism in Central Europe (June 2024)
Mapping the Finances and Ownership of AI Companies Used by Journalists (November 2024)
Researchers
Charles Autheman
Charles is an international consultant specializing in labour, human rights, media development and migration. He is an adjunct lecturer at HEC Paris and Sciences Po Paris and has over 15 years of experience working on development aid projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Jorge Bossio
Jorge has an extensive professional background in research and informative publications, with a strong focus on technology and development. As an Associate Professor at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, he has contributed significantly to academic research, particularly in the fields of digital education and the Information Society. He has played a pivotal role in managing a research network across Latin America, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange on topics related to the digital transformation of society.
Swati Dey
Swati Dey is a policy and political consultant, researcher, and journalist with experience across India’s media, academia, government, and political sectors. She has collaborated with leading news publications, civil society organisations, a state government, and a national political party to drive social justice advocacy. Swati holds an MA in Media Governance from the Centre for Culture, Media and Governance at Jamia Millia Islamia and has a strong interest in welfare policies, climate change, and the intersection of new media and democracy. She can be reached at ‘mostofswati’ across social media platforms.
Marius Dragomir
Marius Dragomir is the Founding Director of the Media and Journalism Research Center, which continues the work of the Center for Media, Data and Society (CMDS). Marius led CMDS etween 2016 and 2022. He previously worked for the Open Society Foundations (OSF) for over a decade where he managed the research and policy portfolio of the Program on Independent Journalism (PIJ), formerly the Network Media Program (NMP), in London.
Michał Głowacki
Michał is an Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw, Poland. He has conducted research projects funded by the European Commission, the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Swedish Institute, the Research Council of Norway, Poland’s National Science Center, the National Agency for Academic Exchange and the Polish-American Fulbright Commission. Michał was the Programme Advisor to the Advisory Group on Public Service Media Governance at the Council of Europe in 2010. He is Editor in Chief of the “Central European Journal of Communication”.
Peter Hanák
Peter is a journalist and a university teacher. He holds a PhD in media studies from Charles University Prague and an LL.M. in economic analysis of law from Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Haifa universities. As a researcher, he cooperated with several leading NGOs, including the International Press Institute (IPI). As a journalist, he witnessed the political capture of the Slovak public service broadcaster. Since 2018, he has worked at Aktuality.sk, Slovakia’s most visited news website. He was awarded the Slovak Journalism Award twice.
Rafael da Silva Paes Henriques
Rafael is a journalist and associate professor at the Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil. He has a doctorate in Philosophy and two postdoctoral internships in the field of communication. He is the author of articles, chapters and books on journalism theory, objectivity and technology.
Sydney Martin
Sydney is a graduate student from the East coast of United States with a keen interest in policy, law and freedom of speech. She holds a BA degree from D.C.’s American University in Communications, Law, Economics and Government (CLEG), and is currently enrolled in the Erasmus Mundus MAPP program with an expected completion date in 2025. She is thrilled about the opportunity to explore the relatively uncharted topic of of AI solutions in media and journalism with MJRC.
Robert Nemeth
Robert Nemeth had a 15-year-long career in journalism, with diverse roles at different Hungarian TV stations and online media outlets, ranging from journalist to senior editor and news producer. He was also guest lecturer at the Department of Media and Communication at Eötvös Lóránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, Hungary. He actively participates in various research projects, including leading the MJRC’s collaborative project with Philea on producing the Journalism Funders Forum newsletter.
Akira Oikawa
Akira is an international student whose research focuses on studying the impact of Generative AI on creative media production and education. He graduated with a Bachelor in Communications Studies in 2023, and is currently undergoing a Master of Media at Concordia University. Holding experience as a soundscape artist, he has been working as a Teaching Assistant for sound production courses in the Concordia Communication Studies department since 2023. His international background has also pushed him to volunteer at various events as a Japanese-English-French translator and interpreter. On top of his degree, he is also a freelance web journalist for the French website ActuaBD.
Edward Pittman
Edward has over 18 years of experience working in the field of media development, press freedom and journalist safety. He worked at Open Society Foundations between 2015 and 2023, first for its Network Media Program, which became the Program on Independent Journalism, and latterly for its Expression program, where he led its work on press freedom, journalists safety and emergency media support. He has provided strategic support and carried out research on the behalf of organisations including the ACOS Alliance, Luminate, Maharat Foundation, Media Defence, Media Foundation West Africa, UNESCO and WAN-IFRA. He holds an MA in Law, Development and Globalisation and a BA in Philosophy and Politics.
Ruth Reis
Ruth is a journalist and full professor at the Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil. She teaches undergraduate courses in journalism and postgraduate courses in Communication and Territorialities. She holds a master’s degree in Communication Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, a doctorate in Communication and Culture from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil, and a post-doctorate in Sociology from ISCTE-IUL, Portugal. Her main research interests include communication in digital environments, journalism, and discourse studies.
Filip Świtkowski
Filip Świtkowski is a researcher at the University of Warsaw. He has a PhD in political science and administration and a master’s degree in law. His research activity is focused on contemporary political and media systems and the impact of new media on shaping public policies. Currently, he is a member of the research team of the CHANSE project “Public Service Media in the Age of Platforms”. He is also an attorney-at-law trainee in the Bar Association in Poland.
Jonáš Syrovátka
Jonáš Syrovátka’s main research interest is the intersection of emergence of non-democratic ideologies, transformation of contemporary politics and proliferation of disinformation in the online space. For the last ten years he analysed these topics as a member of several civil society organisations in the Czech Republic. In 2024, he obtained a Ph.D in Political Science from the Masaryk University in Brno.