The Pulitzer Center's AI Accountability Fellowships is recruiting eight to ten journalists from anywhere in the world to report on the impacts of algorithms and automated systems in their communities. We encourage journalists from the Global South and from communities that are underrepresented in the media to apply. 

Launched in 2022, the AI Accountability Fellowships have so far supported 18 journalists from five different continents. Previous Fellows reported on a vast range of in-depth stories that gives us a nuanced look at the real-life consequences of AI technologies. Their reporting has triggered policy reforms, sparked official inquiries, and inspired college newspapers to start their own investigations and student poets to examine AI accountability. 

The 10-months-long Fellowship starts in September 2024. Journalists selected as AI Accountability Fellows will be provided up to $20,000 to pursue their reporting projects. Funds can be used to pay for records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends, among other costs. In addition, the Fellows will have access to mentors from different fields and relevant training with a group of peers that will help strengthen their reporting projects.

While we welcome projects on a broad range of issues, this year we are also placing special emphasis on certain topics. We are seeking to support at least one project on transparency and governance in relation to AI. This includes projects that follow the money across borders; shed light on opaque and harmful AI supply chains; or report on legislation, business practices, and organizations that exacerbate the lack of accountability and transparency of AI systems. In partnership with Digital Witness Lab at Princeton University, we are also recruiting one project that focuses on the role the messaging platform WhatsApp plays in influencing public discourse in a particular community. 

Journalists need to apply with a reporting project they wish to pursue during their Fellowship. We encourage enterprise and accountability projects that use a variety of approaches—from data analysis, to records requests, and shoe-leather reporting—and delve into the real-world impact of algorithms on policy, individuals, and communities.
The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2023, 11:59pm EST. Please use this form to submit your application. We encourage you to include findings from your pre-reporting and submit your application early. We will schedule interviews with finalists on a rolling basis.