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AI is transforming journalism at an unprecedented pace, streamlining research, generating content, and reshaping newsroom workflows. But how can you use these tools effectively without compromising quality or ethics? To help you navigate this evolving landscape, the Knight Center is offering a FREE, four-week course: “Prompt Engineering 101 for Journalists.”

Running from April 14 to May 11, 2025, this online course will teach you how to integrate AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT into your journalistic workflow. Whether you’re an editor, reporter, educator, or anyone else wanting to use AI in your writing, in this course you’ll gain practical skills—from crafting prompts to automating tasks—while still maintaining ethical standards to ensure your journalism remains trustworthy and transparent.

The course is led by Joe Amditis, an expert at the intersection of AI and journalism. As the associate director of operations at the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University, Amditis has been at the forefront of integrating AI into journalistic practices.

The course is structured into four modules that build your skills step by step:

• Module 1: Introduction to AI and Prompt Engineering – Familiarize yourself with AI language models and learn the basics of crafting effective prompts. Understand AI’s role in journalism and its potential impact.
• Module 2: Crafting Effective Prompts for Journalism – Dive deeper into creating precise prompts for tasks like fact-checking and research, and learn how to break down complex tasks into manageable steps.
• Module 3: Introduction to No-Code Automation – Learn how to automate routine tasks with no-code tools like Zapier to streamline your workflow and free up more time for creative work.
• Module 4: AI Image Generation and Ethics – Explore AI tools for creating and editing images, while understanding the ethical implications of using AI in visual journalism, including issues of bias, transparency, and copyright.

“Prompt Engineering 101 for Journalists” is free and open to journalists and communicators of all levels—whether you are in a newsroom, freelancing, teaching journalism, or looking to stay up-to-date with new tools, this course is for you. No prior experience with AI or automation is required. By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of practical prompts and automated workflows to use AI confidently in your journalistic work.

The course is flexible and asynchronous, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Access video lectures, readings, quizzes, and discussions whenever it fits your schedule. Optional live sessions with Joe Amditis will be recorded so that you can watch them at your convenience.

Don’t miss the chance to improve your work with AI. “Prompt Engineering 101 for Journalists” is a free, hands-on course designed to keep you ahead of the curve in the evolving world of journalism.

Register now to reserve your spot!