Supporting independent journalism in Ukraine

On Monday, September 7, 2026, OpenAI, the Association of Independent Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU), and the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) issued a joint press release announcing a new artificial intelligence program designed to support Ukraine's independent news sector. Developed by AIRPPU in partnership with WAN-IFRA and OpenAI, the initiative is structured to foster innovation, sustainability, and efficiency for news organizations facing continued conflict and unrest. The collaborative effort is divided into two primary components: Newsroom AI, which supports selected organizations in implementing AI-driven newsroom and commercial projects, and Business Transformation. The initiative features the Newsroom AI Masterclass Series, which began on August 5, 2026, bringing together international experts to cover topics such as editorial workflows, audience engagement, product development, revenue generation, and responsible AI adoption. Additionally, the Newsroom AI Catalyst is scheduled to launch on September 17, 2026, offering hands-on support to ten participating Ukrainian news organizations as they pilot tailored AI-enabled solutions. To facilitate the development of bespoke newsroom applications, all participating organizations will receive credits for OpenAI's API. The program builds on WAN-IFRA's ongoing global work supporting AI adoption in journalism and OpenAI's continuing partnerships with media organizations worldwide.