The CNN Academy Abu Dhabi has opened the registration for its 4th edition. Open to UAE Nationals and residents over the age of 21, the programme aims to empower the next generation of journalists and multi-platform storytellers, advancing Abu Dhabi’s creative industry.
Supported by Creative Media Authority (CMA), the programme will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and will feature weekly masterclass series. Hosted by CNN experts, industry leaders and academics, the masterclasses will examine the challenges and practicalities of AI, across areas including electronic ethics and cybersecurity, as well as teach participants how to build and test their own models.
AI will also form the backbone of CNN Academy’s newsroom simulation, set to take place in Abu Dhabi in December. Participants from CNN Academy around the world will gather for a week of training in the fundamentals of investigative reporting, learning from CNN journalists and other leading experts in Abu Dhabi.
Podcasting, social storytelling and mobile journalism are among the core modules across the 12-week course in Abu Dhabi, led by CNN’s global anchors, correspondents and technical specialists. The course aims to provide participants with skills needed to work in a newsroom, including verification techniques such as such as geolocation and reverse image searching, storyboarding and scriptwriting, and a deep understanding of journalistic ethics, all delivered via interactive workshops, masterclasses and digital on-demand tutorials.
Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of the CMA, said: "One of our lead focuses, in the development of the world-class creative ecosystem, is the nurturing of young local individuals and provision of leading educational experiences which develop skillsets for the nation’s future creative leaders. Under the Creative Media Authority, the creative lab leads on the various initiatives and programmes including CNN Academy Abu Dhabi which delivers an annually themed bespoke training programme for those pursuing a career in journalism. The focus on Artificial Intelligence this year highlights our collective dedication to advancing journalism within the region."
Salma Arafa, CNN Academy Abu Dhabi 2023 graduate, said: "My final project from the academy was selected to air on Connect the World with Becky Anderson. This was undoubtedly the highlight of my experience at CNN Academy Abu Dhabi. Another highlight from the immersive media training programme was the people. There’s something powerful about connecting with individuals who share the passion. I was also fortunate to get an internship at the bureau after graduating the academy. I’d encourage everyone to apply."
Alireza Haji Hosseini, Deputy Bureau Chief at CNN Abu Dhabi and Director of CNN Academy, said: "At its heart, CNN Academy is really about preparing the next generation of journalists for the real world, and there are few more fascinating aspects of that world right now than Artificial Intelligence. We’ll be unpacking the ways in which AI can both help and hinder the work of journalists, and teaching our academicians how to navigate the challenges it presents. I think this will be the most compelling iteration of CNN Academy yet, and we have some exciting things up our sleeves for this year’s participants."
