AI is changing journalism – KTH contributes with contract education
AI is already affecting how news is being produced, disseminated and consumed – often through technology and platforms that journalists themselves have no control over. At a time when algorithms control information flows and generative AI can create content on a large scale, journalism's role as a reviewer, fact-bearer and democratic counterforce is becoming increasingly important. This is the starting point for the contract education training course on AI that KTH is now running in collaboration with the Journalist Fund for the second year in a row.
Behind the course is Anders Hedman, a teacher at KTH, who, together with the Journalist Fund, has developed an intensive course on AI – focusing on technology, social perspectives and critical approaches. A total of 32 professional journalists have participated so far, and interest has been high: over 90 applicants for 16 places in the first year.
'This is a perfect example of how contract education can work when you develop the content together. We have had many engaging discussions, and I myself have learned a lot along the way,' says Anders.
Why AI skills are crucial for journalism
For Anders, education is also closely linked to journalism's democratic role.
Journalists are one of the most important pillars of democracy. At a time when AI and large technology platforms are influencing the flow of information globally, often without clear accountability, the role of journalism becomes even more critical," he says.
He points out that AI is not only changing working methods, but also the balance of power in society.
'It is not enough to understand AI technically. Journalists also need to understand the technology from a media-historical, political, and ideological perspective. Otherwise, we risk a media landscape that is governed more by opinions than by facts.'
Anders refers to the democratic core of journalism and quotes journalist Maria Ressa's speech when she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021:
'Without facts, you can't have truth. Without truth, you can't have trust. Without these three, we have no shared reality, no democracy.'
Co-creation from the start
The initiative for the programme came from the Journalist Fund, which was actively seeking an academic partner to meet the industry's growing need for AI expertise. Operations Manager Nina Hjelmgren describes how KTH was chosen:
"When I found Anders' course, I immediately saw that it placed AI in a broader social and developmental context. It was exactly the combination of analysis, reflection and practice that we were looking for," she says.
The course has been shaped iteratively, with experiences from the first round directly influencing the second. Guest lecturers, course content and structure have been adjusted on an ongoing basis.
"It has been a truly collaborative effort. Anders has been responsive, flexible and at the same time confident in the academic foundation," says Nina Hjelmgren.
Contract education as a social mission
For Anders, contract education is an essential part of the university's role.
'We can contribute deeper perspectives than quick fixes. Contract education is part of KTH's social responsibility – especially at a time when skills development is increasingly taking place outside academia,' he says.
He also highlights the value of internal support at KTH, from administration to finance and contracts, as crucial to delivering education professionally.
An example of more collaborations
The collaboration shows how KTH's knowledge can meet concrete societal needs – and how contract education can create long-term relationships with organisations and companies.
"The participants really appreciate being at KTH. It signals quality and contributes to in-depth discussions," says Nina Hjelmgren.
Discussions are currently underway regarding a third round of the programme. Regardless of the decision, the collaboration is highlighted as a successful example – and a model that can inspire more organisations to collaborate with KTH on contract education.