Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowship 2023 [win up to $20,000]

The Pulitzer center Al Accountability Fellowships seek to support journalists working on in-depth AI accountability stories that examine governments and corporations’ uses of predictive and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, medicine, social welfare, the criminal justice system, hiring, and more.

They seek to support journalists and newsrooms that represent the diversity of the communities impacted by AI technologies. The Fellowship is designed for reporters from all beats, desks, and formats who want to broaden, deepen, and diversify reporting on artificial intelligence with an accountability lens.

In its first year, the Fellowship supported 10 Fellows reporting in 10 countries. The 2022 cohort of AI Accountability Fellows reported on themes crucial to equity and human rights, such as the impact of AI on the gig economy, social welfare, policing, migration, and border control.

While they welcome projects on a broad range of issues related to the impact of AI in society, this year they are also placing special emphasis on certain topics. Pulitzer Center is seeking to support at least one project that examines the intersection of AI and conflict, war, and peace.

In partnership with Digital Witness Lab at Princeton University, they are also recruiting one project that focuses on the role the messaging platform WhatsApp plays in influencing public discourse in a particular community. Applicants with reporting projects on these topics are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Pulitzer Center

The Pulitzer Center raises awareness of underreported global issues through direct support for quality journalism and a unique program of education and public outreach.

Founded in 2006, we are now the largest single source of money for global enterprise reporting—and the only one incorporating this reporting into comprehensive educational programs that extend the impact of the reporting and allow students and the public to engage directly on the issues.

The result is sustained reporting and outreach on topics that range from land rights, climate change, global health, and fragile states to justice and women and children.

Benefits

• The opportunity to work on an urgent, underreported issue for a substantial period of time.
• Access to mentors and specialized training opportunities.
• Pro bono legal and public records access support.
• A community of like-minded colleagues that will continue beyond your Fellowship.
• Financial support up to $20,000 to cover records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.
• The opportunity to find strong collaborators for your project or future projects.

Requirements

• Open to staff or freelance journalists working on a wide range of platforms, including print, radio, video, and multimedia.
• Team players with the experience and/or ability to work collaboratively across newsrooms and borders.
• Reporters with a deep interest in how AI impacts the world, and why this issue matters to our global well-being.
• Reporters willing to participate in outreach activities related to their investigations, such as events at schools and universities.
• Reporters can be based anywhere. The Fellowships are remote.

Documents Required for Application

• A short statement of purpose: how this Fellowship fits in your career path and why you are best positioned to be an Al Accountability Fellow. (500 words)
• A detailed description of the reporting project you seek to pursue during your Fellowship. Do not propose general themes but propose a concrete project that shows some pre-reporting on the subject. A compelling, well-researched project proposal with a reporting plan will help you stand out among dozens of applicants. (500 words)
• A budget that lays out anticipated costs of the project. Categories may include records requests, software, data analysis, travel and lodging, and stipends.
• Three examples (links) of your best stories published in the past three years (not necessarily on artificial intelligence).
• A letter of commitment or interest from a media organization(s) that would publish your story(ies). If you are a staff reporter, a signed letter from your editor or newsroom manager confirming you have their support in applying for the AI Accountability Fellowship.

• Three professional references: These can be either contact information or letters of recommendation.
• A copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.

How to Apply