WAN-IFRA sets up AI accelerators with OpenAI funding

The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has announced an AI accelerator program for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region.

The accelerator is open to WAN-IFRA members only, and requires two mid to senior level editorial staff to commit for the three-month program.

“The Newsroom AI Catalyst is an accelerator programme to help news publishers fast-track their AI adoption and implementation,” the association said in the press release. “For news professionals, AI presents opportunities to reshape professional journalism across multiple dimensions, from advanced content discovery to creating new dynamic storytelling, breaking away from traditional fixed formats.”

The ANZ and Pacific program is an expansion of the association’s existing accelerator, operational in Europe, Asia, South Asia, and Latin America from last year. It will feature an in-person workshop in Sydney 17-18 November, followed by coaching and online modules to the end of February 2026. Applications must be received before the end of July.

OpenAI’s contribution consists chiefly of the provision of free token credits for teams to use in the development of their prototypes.

“The launch of two new cohorts and the expansion of the programme to Australia and New Zealand marks an important milestone in the programme’s development, which has met with great success since its launch at the end of 2024,” WAN-IFRA CEO Vincent Peyrègne was quoted as saying in a press release.

Note: Mumbrella’s house style is “program”. Where the word “programme” has been used in written sources, we retain the original spelling.