AI for Journalists

AI for Journalists

NEXT COHORT BEGINS JANUARY 2026!

Deadlines haven’t changed. The tools have.

AI is now part of every newsroom, from sourcing to story framing — but most reporters are still figuring out how to use it responsibly.

AI for Journalists from The Media Copilot is a six-week certificate course built to help you master the workflows that keep you fast, credible, and creative.

Led by journalists and media innovators Pete Pachal, Kris Krüg, and Peter Bittner, the program combines live instruction, real-world projects, and one-on-one guidance to help you stay ahead of the shift.

What You’ll Gain

• Master the Modern Journalism Stack: Go beyond dabbling. Learn to use ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and vibecoding platforms to supercharge how you research, write, and manage campaigns.
• Streamlined Workflows: Automate time-consuming tasks like transcriptions, summaries, and outlines so you can focus on analysis, storytelling, and interviews.
• Data-Driven Confidence: Learn how to collect, interpret, and visualize media data that strengthens your reporting and adds authority to your stories.
• One-on-One Coaching: Get individual feedback from your instructors to fine-tune your workflows and build something that fits your reporting goals.
• Real-World Capstone Project: Complete a project that applies AI directly to your work — whether it’s a sourcing system, editorial assistant, or data-driven story engine.

High-Impact Training for the Future of Reporting

This course is designed for working journalists, editors, and freelancers who want to use AI to report smarter, write with precision, and stay credible in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

You’ll learn how to evaluate new tools critically, apply them responsibly, and leave with a working system that enhances your reporting every day.

Who This Course Is For

This program is built for communicators who are more than AI-curious. They see where the industry is heading and want to lead the way there.

• Working Journalists: Reporters and writers who need faster research, sharper story ideas, and reliable ways to verify information.
• Editors and Newsroom Leaders: Decision-makers ready to integrate AI into editorial operations without sacrificing ethics or accuracy.
• Media Educators and Innovators: Professors, trainers, and technologists building AI literacy across classrooms and newsrooms.
• Independent & Agency PR Practitioners: Writers and content producers managing multiple clients who want to streamline their process and expand their output.

START DATE: JANUARY, 2026

Course Overview

This six-week live certificate course is designed to take you from curious to confident in using AI for communications. Each session blends live instruction, hands-on exercises, and guided feedback that connects directly to your day-to-day PR and media work.

By the end, you’ll know how to use AI tools responsibly, creatively, and effectively—building systems that save time, sharpen strategy, and expand your professional value.

• Week 1 (Nov. 5): Journalism in the Age of AI
  • A reality check on ethics, accuracy, and transparency. Learn what “responsible AI” actually means for reporters — from verifying sources to disclosing use.
• Week 2 (Nov. 12): Assistants, Agents, and Editorial Partners
  • Understand how to use AI assistants effectively for brainstorming, outlining, and content creation — without losing your style or editorial judgment.
• Week 3 (Nov. 19): Deep Research and Grounded Tools
  • Go beyond search and simple summaries. Use tools like deep research and NotebookLM to verify facts, cross-reference sources, and surface insights traditional search engines miss.
• Week 4 (Nov. 26): You, Too, Can Be a Data Analyst
  • Turn raw information into meaning. Learn how to work with AI in spreadsheets, visualize data with Claude Artifacts, and interpret results for better storytelling.
• Week 5 (Dec. 3): Editorial Flow and Vibecoding
  • Explore how to shape tone and narrative with AI’s help. Build lightweight automations that streamline pitch tracking, headline testing, and content packaging.
• Week 6 (Dec. 10): Capstone Project and Final Review
  • Apply everything you’ve learned to build a custom workflow or newsroom assistant tailored to your beat or publication. Present your work, get detailed feedback, and walk away with a working tool that proves your AI fluency.

Course Investment: $1,499

Group Discounts Available: Contact us for details.

Flexible Payment Option: Installment plan available. Reach out for details.

About the Instructors:

Pete Pachal

With over two decades in technology journalism, Pete is known for his insights into AI’s impact on media. As former Chief of Staff for Content at CoinDesk and with senior roles at Mashable and NBC Universal, Pete brings deep expertise in the intersection of AI and media. Through The Media Copilot newsletter, podcast, and YouTube channel, he explores the transformative role of AI in modern journalism and PR.

Peter Bittner

Peter is an experienced media professional and educator, recognized for his expertise in new media and AI applications in communication. With over a decade of teaching at top institutions, including UC Berkeley and CELSA-Paris Sorbonne, Peter has trained professionals across industries to leverage emerging media technologies. His work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, and VICE News.

Kris Krug

Kris Krug is a respected techartist, photographer, and digital culture pioneer whose work bridges technology, creativity, and social impact. A sought-after speaker and creative consultant, he has collaborated with influential figures including Jack Dorsey, Malcolm Gladwell, and Mikhail Gorbachev, while his work has been featured in over 100 major publications including National Geographic, WIRED, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone.

Ready to Upgrade Your Journalism Skills?

Join the next cohort and start building the workflows every newsroom will need next year.

REGISTER NOW

Work faster. Think sharper. Stay credible.