South African media organizations implement AI systems through Microsoft-backed initiative

Each newsroom received tailored mentoring from AI and journalism experts to build adoption strategies, set policy frameworks and identify practical AI use cases that aligned with editorial and business goal

Four South African news organizations have completed a four-month program to integrate artificial intelligence tools into their editorial operations, addressing concerns about uncoordinated AI adoption in the country's media sector.

The program, supported by Microsoft and facilitated by the Foundation, worked with Mail & Guardian, AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, Briefly News, and Pondoland Times. The initiative responded to research indicating that while journalists regularly use AI tools, most newsrooms lack formal policies governing their use.

A Foundation survey of over 200 journalists in the Global South found that the majority worked in newsrooms without established AI guidelines. In South Africa, individual reporters have been experimenting with AI independently, creating risks related to accuracy, bias, and editorial consistency.

The participating organizations developed specific tools based on their operational requirements. Briefly News implemented "Editorial Eye," a proofreading and style assistance system. The outlet reported increasing daily story production from 80-90 articles to 150-200, with page views rising 22 percent over six months.

AmaBhungane created technology to convert investigative reports into multimedia formats, automating scriptwriting processes. Pondoland Times developed social media automation tools and is testing an AI avatar for news delivery. The outlet's website impressions grew from 2.4 million to 10 million over three months, generating R20,000 in additional monthly revenue.

Mail & Guardian introduced a sub-editing system that provides grammar checking, headline generation, and hashtag suggestions. The tool reduced editing time by 50 percent, according to the organization.

Douglas White, circulation and subscription officer at Mail & Guardian, stated that the system functions as a support tool requiring human oversight and creative input. "The sub-editing function is marking your homework effectively. It is backstopped by human intervention and requires human creative capacity," White said.

The program included training on AI implementation, policy development, and ethical considerations. Participants received mentoring from AI and journalism specialists to create adoption strategies aligned with their editorial and business objectives.

Beyond technical implementation, the initiative facilitated collaboration between organizations that traditionally compete for readership. Rianette Cluley, director at Briefly News, noted the opportunity to share experiences with other newsrooms in a structured environment.

"For too long we've viewed each other as adversaries in this space. When you come together like this, you realize it's not adversarial. It's collaborative," White commented.

The program highlights challenges facing South African media as organizations navigate AI adoption while managing linguistic diversity and varying levels of digital infrastructure across the country. The participating newsrooms established internal policies and frameworks to guide continued AI use following the program's conclusion.