New tool for journalists: MethodKit for Journalism and AI

Artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism, from the way stories are discovered and produced to how newsrooms operate and engage with audiences. But navigating this shift requires more than adopting new technology. 

Whether you’re a seasoned editor or just beginning to explore AI in your work, the new kit for Journalism and AI helps journalists reflect on every dimension of the process: from understanding key concepts and developments, to assessing workflows, identifying meaningful use cases, building skills, managing risks and defining ethical boundaries. 

Developed by DW Akademie and the Swedish visual thinking company MethodKitin collaboration with 15 experts on journalism and AI from around the world, the kit was designed to be used as a stand-alone tool or integrated through workshops and other collaborative practices. 

A practical tool for one of the most complex issues facing journalism 

The set of 75 cards is color coded thematically helping users to collaboratively explore the big picture in AI and journalism, their own media organization, their current workflows, and potential AI solutions. 

For example: 

• Aligning teams around goals, skills, hopes, and concerns related to AI 
• Building shared understanding on how AI should — and should not — be used in journalism 
• Mapping newsroom workflows to better understand how time, resources, and responsibilities are distributed 
• Identifying bottlenecks, repetitive tasks, and opportunities for improvement 
• Guiding teams from initial ideas to practical, responsible AI prototypes 
• Clarifying what is being built, who it serves, and how success will be measured 

Many ways to use the kit in practice  

At its core, the cards help journalists and media teams to have structured discussions. During facilitated workshops, they can be distributed on tables or walls and used to focus priorities. The range of cards provides journalists and trainers with flexibility to design their own workshops.  

For example: 

• Sorting cards according to their priority to identify what matters most 
• Creating grids to map key challenges, opportunities, or next steps 
• Building long-table layouts to visualize journalism workflows or AI solutions 

The new Journalism and AI set of cards builds on the learning and experience gained through DW Akademie’s partnership with MethodKit in developing the MethodKit for Podcasts. “We saw how this design-led methodology helps connect and network global expertise, identifies new trainers, and through working with partners to translate the cards into more languages multiplies the reach and impact of the tool,” says Barbara Gruber, DW Akademie Senior Consultant. 

So far, the MethodKit for Journalism and AI is available in English with versions in Arabic and French currently in development. The project is supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

Download the MethodKit for Journalism and AI for free.

Check out MethodKit for Podcasts, available in 45 languages.