WAN-IFRA has selected 24 media professionals from 14 countries to participate in the inaugural cohort of the NextGen AI Leaders programme, an initiative supported by the Google News Initiative.
The participants were chosen from a pool of more than 100 applicants in a selection process designed to identify rising managers capable of navigating the integration of artificial intelligence within news organizations. The cohort includes specialists from Finland to South Africa, spanning roles in data science, product management, business development, and editorial leadership.
The programme is structured to address the strategic demands placed on modern media executives as they manage the transition toward AI-driven operations. Participants will develop personalized leadership roadmaps intended to balance technological innovation with the maintenance of editorial integrity.
“Joining the NextGen AI Leaders Programme is an exciting opportunity to connect with innovators… and to explore how artificial intelligence can empower better storytelling, decision-making and impact,” said Asmaa Hechenberger of Ippen Digital in Germany.
A primary focus of the curriculum is the establishment of ethical frameworks for AI adoption. This includes addressing concerns over accuracy, transparency, and the preservation of journalistic credibility.
“As an editor, I hope to gain a clearer framework for the ethical use of AI in my newsroom, particularly around issues of accuracy and transparency,” said Samson Folarin, an editor at PUNCH in Nigeria. “This is important to me because credibility remains the foundation of our work.”
Folarin added that his objectives include piloting AI-driven editorial processes, mentoring staff, and contributing to internal policy discussions regarding AI adoption.
Institutional Support and Coaching
The programme will be led by coaches Anita Zielina, Patrick Swanson, and Kaveh Waddell, who provide expertise in AI, organizational change, and leadership strategy. The objective is to move participants toward “AI fluency,” enabling them to drive new business outcomes and lead teams through the current technological shift in the media industry.
The selected professionals represent a broad spectrum of global newsrooms and media houses:
- Amata Bosco, Digital Business Manager, Mwananchi Communications Limited (Tanzania)
- Anja Wölker, Head of Audio, FUNKE Medien NRW (Germany)
- Asmaa Hechenberger, Head of Data & Analytics, Ippen Digital (Germany)
- Benjamin Knödler, Product Owner Digital, der Freitag Mediengesellschaft (Germany)
- Chibuike Alagboso, Director of Media Programmes, Nigeria Health Watch (Nigeria)
- David Balagna, Product Lead, Contexte (France)
- Georg Eckelsberger, Editor in Chief, DOSSIER (Austria)
- Jan Stanisławski, Head of Newsroom 24, Ringier Axel Springer (Poland)
- Johanna Heckeley, Head of Digital Desk, Medienhaus Trierischer Volksfreund (Germany)
- Kelly Anderson, Food Editor, News24 (South Africa)
- Laia Seró, Digital Managing Editor, Diari ARA (Spain)
- Laura Rodríguez, CRO & Acquisition Manager, elDiario.es (Spain)
- Lena Leibetseder, Head of Digital Publishing, Russmedia (Austria)
- Manal El Guerrab, Commercial Executive – Product and Service Development, Maghreb Arabe Press (Morocco)
- Marc Jänig, AI Transformation Manager, Rheinische Post Mediengruppe (Germany)
- Márta Kovács, Senior News Editor, 24.hu (Hungary)
- Milla Kukkonen, Executive Producer & Audience Manager, A-lehdet (Finland)
- Natalia Maragkou, Art Director, Alter Ego Media Group (Greece)
- Oumaima Hali, Manager Data and AI, Médias24 (Morocco)
- Samson Folarin, Editor, Weekend PUNCH (Nigeria)
- Shirin Shity, Senior Marketing Manager, Project Syndicate (Czech Republic)
- Simon Owens, Strategy Manager, The Irish Times Group (Ireland)
- Sina Söhren, Deputy Head Team GenAI, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany)
- Stanislas de Livonnière, Head of AI, Data & Innovation, Le Parisien (France)
The programme is scheduled to officially commence on 14 April in Frankfurt, Germany.
