These case studies have been selected from more than 100 newsroom teams across 21 countries that WAN-IFRA WIN worked with during 2023 and 2024 in a programme covering the Age of AI, which aimed to encourage adaptive practices and develop an AI roadmap with metrics aligned to their media house’s North Star goals.

Through a combination of surveys and in-depth interviews, the report captures a critical moment of experimentation, optimism and emerging strategy. In contexts as diverse as Moldova, Ukraine, Kenya and Jordan, media outlets are navigating tight budgets, complex political climates and rapidly evolving digital demands — yet remain committed to quality journalism and meeting audience needs.

One of the clearest takeaways? AI is not replacing journalists, but it is changing how they work. In Moldova, Diez.md reduced its article summary time from one hour to 10 minutes using AI tools. In Kenya, Radio Africa piloted AI voice tools to cut advertising production costs. In Azerbaijan, the Baku Press Club created a GenAI tool to help prepare social media posts, increasing page views by 7% in five months.

“Journalists need to keep learning as this is a survival technique in life and work. Change is inevitable, and as soon as you adopt new technologies, the better. Media entered a new phase with its challenges and opportunities. To survive in this new phase, much is needed on the personal and professional levels,” says Rula Abul Rous, a senior news producer at Al Mamlaka TV in Jordan.

And the story isn’t just about tools. It’s about values. While AI offers incredible promise, media leaders emphasise the importance of ethical use, human oversight and editorial integrity. The report underscores the need for clear internal guidelines and cross-team collaboration to ensure responsible AI integration, especially in regions where information ecosystems are fragile or contested.

“Don’t lose out on opportunities because you are always doing the same thing the same way. AI tools can help you free up time so that your staff can focus on critical things that AI can’t do. Keep abreast of what is on the market so you do not get left behind,” said Susan Kimachia, head of electronic news at Radio Africa Group in Kenya.

There are challenges to navigate, however. These include staff resistance, knowledge gaps and the cost and quality of AI tools in local languages. However, the momentum is unmistakable. These early adopters are building roadmaps others can follow — tailored to their context, resources and communities.

The Age of AI in the Newsroom report doesn’t just showcase what’s possible. It offers a practical look at how media outlets are making AI work for journalists and audiences — and the place of inclusion, diversity and ethical leadership in crafting the future of journalism.

In the words of Natalia Pahaychuk, head of innovative projects at Rayon in Ukraine: “If you haven’t implemented innovations in your editorial team yet – do it immediately. Development is closely linked with the use of artificial intelligence, which increases team efficiency and opens up new opportunities for creativity and analysis.”

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