UMD Launches 'AI in Journalism' Series
The University of Maryland's journalism and business schools are launching a new webinar series on "The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI." The monthly sessions will explore how the news business model needs to be reinvented to serve the public in the modern era.
The new webinar series is a collaboration between the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism and the Robert H. Smith School of Business. It will consist of 10 monthly sessions running from March 27, 2026, through December. All webinars are scheduled for Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. and are free to attend with registration. Industry leaders will join experts from Merrill College and the Smith School to cover a range of topics, including the economics of news and the ethics of AI in journalism. Confirmed speakers include Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute, Robyn Tomlin from the American Press Institute, and Reid Hoffman of The Local Journalism Foundation. The sessions aim to help newsroom leaders innovate, reach new audiences, and utilize AI for improved newsgathering. This initiative is part of a broader focus on AI at the University of Maryland. The university is actively developing AI tools to enhance journalism and make it more sustainable. Merrill College Dean Rafael Lorente stated, "Merrill College is running toward AI, not away from it, and so is the Smith School." The university's commitment extends beyond this webinar series, with researchers and students at the Merrill College of Journalism working to create, test, and implement AI-powered methods to support journalists. The goal is to equip the next generation of journalists with the tools and knowledge to adapt to a changing media landscape.
