Lenfest institute expands AI fellowship with OpenAI support

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism and OpenAI announced on Monday, September 28, 2026, the expansion of the Lenfest AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program, backed by a new $5 million commitment from OpenAI, along with up to $5 million in software credits and engineering support. This marks a doubling of OpenAI’s previous investment in the initiative. The program, launched in 2024, has grown into the largest AI fellowship in American journalism, with AI engineers embedded in 11 major news organizations. Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute, emphasized that responsible AI adoption hinges on trust, collaboration, and understanding organizational needs. Tom Rubin, OpenAI’s Chief of Intellectual Property and Content, highlighted the importance of local journalism in fostering community connections. The initiative has led to practical AI applications, such as Dewey at The Philadelphia Inquirer and AI-assisted translation workflows at Chicago Public Media, demonstrating AI’s potential to enhance various newsroom functions. The next phase aims to broaden the program’s reach and create reusable tools for hundreds of news organizations.