The funding will support the development of AI tools at the University of Maryland and Arizona State University.
The Scripps Howard Foundation has allocated $2 million in funding to the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland and Arizona State University, aiming to enhance journalistic practices through AI tools. Over three years, this investment is intended to develop and pilot various AI applications which will bolster local news reporting.
The foundation originally established the Howard Centers in 2018 in honour of Roy W. Howard, the former chairman of the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. The centres focus on nurturing the next generation of investigative reporters by collaborating with journalists and institutions throughout the US to create impactful, nationally recognised investigative projects.
The University of Maryland’s $1 million share of the grant will focus on developing a suite of AI tools designed to enhance local news coverage. One of the key projects is The Beat Book, which will harness AI to evaluate past reporting in specific community beats. It will analyse archives from local publications to identify gaps and opportunities in coverage.
The AI Reporter’s Tool Box, conceived by students at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, aims to streamline journalistic workflows using AI and machine learning technologies. This initiative is expected to improve tasks such as transcribing interviews.
Another project, named AI Meeting Watchdog, will introduce a system capable of monitoring live-streamed government meetings. This tool will provide timely alerts about significant events, potential story ideas and summaries of key actions taken during the meetings.
The Visibility for Local News Project aims to increase the online presence of local news organisations. The initiative is designed to assist local news sites in improving their visibility on search engines and social media platforms. Insights derived from the project will be integrated into courses for undergraduate students, with the students collaborating with local news organisations to track digital performance and audience engagement.
Rafael Lorente, dean at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, commented, “Our students and faculty will help local newsrooms implement tools that will transform journalism and journalism operations, while also reimagining journalism education. Like other revolutionary technologies, we can make choices about how we use AI. Our faculty and students have chosen to create and deploy tools that make journalism smarter and better. We are incredibly grateful to the Scripps Howard Foundation for making this work possible and for their continued support.”
Arizona State University will also receive $1 million to initiate its own AI projects. The university plans to recruit a professor specialised in AI to examine its implications in journalism, focusing on industry adaptation to the evolving landscape of technology. This role will involve teaching courses centred on AI within investigative journalism, conducting research on practical AI applications, and disseminating insights to professionals in the field.
Moreover, ASU intends to establish a website and a monthly e-newsletter that will provide updates on the application of AI within investigative journalism. These platforms will connect with a broad audience and feature a quarterly review highlighting emerging AI technologies that are being evaluated in real-world journalistic scenarios.
The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU will also introduce a certificate programme in investigative journalism that emphasises the role of AI. Training workshops for AI professionals and journalism practitioners will be conducted annually to foster collaborations aimed at testing and deploying specific AI tools.
Battinto L. Batts Jr, dean of the Cronkite School, stated, “Artificial intelligence is dramatically impacting journalism. We must take a strategic approach to understanding and leveraging AI in the process of charting that future. The Cronkite School plans to be an ongoing and relevant player in that endeavor and appreciates the confidence the Scripps Howard Foundation has shown in our team.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://cronkite.asu.edu/news/2025/cronkite-school-receives-grant-for-ai-initiatives-from-the-scripps-howard-foundation/ – This article supports the claim that the Scripps Howard Foundation has awarded $2 million to the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University and the University of Maryland to enhance journalistic practices with AI tools. It also details ASU’s plans for AI initiatives.
- https://merrill.umd.edu/articles/scripps-howard-foundation-provides-1-million-grants-merrill-college-asu-support – This article corroborates the allocation of $2 million by the Scripps Howard Foundation to both universities and highlights the specific AI projects being developed at the University of Maryland, such as The Beat Book and AI Meeting Watchdog.
- https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/rulesofcourt.pdf – This document does not directly support the claims about the Scripps Howard Foundation or AI in journalism but is included as it pertains to legal procedures, which might be relevant in a broader context of journalism and legal reporting.
- https://www.wmar2news.com/local/umd-gets-grant-to-develop-a-i-products-for-journalists – This news article provides additional details on the University of Maryland’s projects, including The Beat Book and AI Meeting Watchdog, which are part of the AI tools being developed with the grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation.
- https://acf.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-2 – This document does not support the claims about the Scripps Howard Foundation or AI in journalism. It pertains to unrelated policy guidance for unaccompanied children.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent grants and ongoing projects, indicating it is current. However, without specific dates for the grant allocation, it’s difficult to pinpoint its exact freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Rafael Lorente and Battinto L. Batts Jr. are included, but their original source or date could not be verified online. This suggests they might be original to this piece.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable journalism-focused website, TVNewsCheck, which suggests a high level of reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about AI integration in journalism and educational initiatives are plausible given the current trends in media and technology.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and well-supported by quotes from credible figures in journalism. The source is reliable, and the claims about AI in journalism are plausible. Overall, the information seems accurate and trustworthy.
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