Craig Newmark: Philanthropy's Role in Supporting Journalism in the AI Era

Craig Newmark, internet pioneer and founder of Craigslist, joins Nikita Roy to talk about the past, present, and future of AI. 

Craig is a visionary whose profound contributions have shaped the landscape of digital platforms and supported the pillars of journalism. 

As the founder of Craigslist, he revolutionized the classified ads sector and transformed how people buy, sell, and connect within their local communities. 

Beyond his impact on the internet's landscape, Craig is a dedicated philanthropist, notably through the Craig Newmark Philanthropies where he has become a beacon of support for the work of journalists. 

His philanthropic journey is marked by significant contributions to some of the leading journalism schools, including the City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism, aiming for a future where education in journalism is accessible to all, free of tuition​​. 

Craig's generosity has been instrumental in establishing the Center for Journalism Ethics and Security at Columbia University. 

His vision for a well-informed public has also led to supporting the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public addressing the critical issues of mis- and disinformation​​.

Craig Newmark Philanthropies has contributed to Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society which supported the launch of a three-year initiative called the Institute for Rebooting Social Media.

Craig has contributed to several other universities, focusing on initiatives that support journalism, cybersecurity, public service for veterans, and the digital information ecosystem. 

In this episode, Craig shares his thoughts on the challenges posed by large language models and how philanthropy plays a vital role in supporting the integration of AI into journalism. 

📢 Announcing the launch of the Newsroom Robots Academy. 

The Academy will offer short online courses designed to introduce you to generative AI, complete with industry-specific insights.

Join Nikita Roy, who will co-teach these courses alongside Jeremy Caplan, writer of the Wonder Tools newsletter and Director of Teaching and Learning at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York.

Upskilling has become more crucial than ever. Through the courses offered at the Newsroom Robots Academy, you'll be able to leverage the capabilities of generative AI in your work as a media professional.

Sign up now to be among the first to know when course registration opens.

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