Future-Proofing Journalism: Announcing the GNI × NPA AI-Powered Next Gen News Sprint
At the News Product Alliance, we believe that the future of journalism depends on how fast news organizations can adapt to audience change and anticipate their needs. Technology, especially AI, can unlock the capacity to do so and ensure that quality and trustworthy information is delivered in formats that match consumption habits.
That is why we’re proud to share an exciting step in that direction: the GNI × NPA AI-Powered Next Gen News Sprint, an eight-month initiative supported by the Google News Initiative (GNI) to help leading U.S. publishers reach and engage younger audiences.
This program brings together twelve of the country’s most forward-thinking news organizations, each having already begun product and AI journey: Advance Local, Boston Globe, Chicago Public Media, Deep South Today, Graham Media Group, LA Times, Tampa Bay Times, Salt Lake Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Minnesota Star Tribune, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Texas Tribune.
”We believe AI can help publishers strengthen their relationship with readers. The GNI × NPA Sprint is designed to put that belief into action, giving newsrooms the tools to experiment with new technology and build innovative products," said Chrissy Towle, Director of News Partnerships at Google.
A Sprint Toward Long-Term Capacity
The Next Gen Sprint is about building the infrastructure to make innovation sustainable. Each newsroom will take part in a process designed to help them better understand younger audiences, experiment with AI responsibly, and translate insight into real product and revenue strategy.
Participants will conduct original audience research, prototype new ideas, and receive milestone-based funding to implement and measure results, ensuring experimentation is tied to accountability and impact.
Together, these twelve publishers will help define what the “next generation” of news looks like: audience-informed, AI-enabled, and guided by strong product discipline.
Collaboration Across the Ecosystem
We’re thrilled to partner with the Knight Lab at Northwestern University to bring their Ideal News Experience research to life — bridging cutting-edge academic insight with real-world newsroom experimentation.
This collaboration reflects a larger goal shared by GNI and NPA: creating shared infrastructure for innovation. When funders, researchers, and practitioners work together, the result isn’t just one cohort of newsrooms that adapt; it’s a model the entire field can build on.
Why This Matters for NPA and the Field
For NPA, the AI-powered Next Gen Sprint represents the next evolution of our mission to build the shared infrastructure —skills, standards, and community— securing the long-term sustainability of journalism.
It expands our capacity-building work beyond training individuals to helping organizations operationalize product strategy, align cross-functional teams, and lead change. It connects directly to our broader ecosystem-building efforts: the NPAi Co-Lab on responsible AI, the C-Suite Strategic Foresight Program for executives, and our annual NPA Summit, where more than 400 product professionals collaborate to strengthen journalism’s foundations.
“This partnership with GNI reflects what’s possible when global technology partners and field-driven nonprofits work toward a shared goal: enabling every newsroom, from local to national, to innovate with confidence, integrity, and purpose”, said Feli Carrique, NPA’s Executive Director.
Follow the journey of the Next Gen Sprint and learn more about NPA’s work at newsproduct.org