From the automation of processes and the generation of new income to the optimization of information coverage in real time and the development of intelligent bots to improve the engagement with the audiences, More than 20 media outlets in Latin America developed projects based on artificial intelligence as part of the AI Product Lab (AIPL)an initiative of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), supported by Google News Initiative and developed by Marktube Group.
Free press was part of this program, designed to strengthen the strategic and operational capabilities of the media in Latin America and the Caribbean by integrating AI as a transversal enabler of the life cycle of products and workflows.
After several months of work, the participating media analyzed the situations and challenges they currently face and proposed strategic projects to resolve them.
“The AI Product Lab reflects the enormous potential of innovation when combined with talent, commitment and a clear vision for the future. We have seen extraordinary enthusiasm from the participating media, which have gone from exploring artificial intelligence to integrating it concretely into their operations. At a time of profound transformation for journalism, this program demonstrates that it is possible to strengthen the sustainability, quality and impact of journalistic work. We especially thank Google for its strategic support to make this initiative possible,” said Carlos Lauría, executive director of the IAPA.
The methodology was key to success. The program was structured in three stages: first, a training phase of 12 group sessions with international experts who provided the base knowledge; second, intensive prototyping workshops (workshops individual) designed to translate abstract ideas into viable prototypes; and, finally, access to implementation funds along with personalized technical support for three months, to ensure the deployment of the solutions.
“The fundamental difference of this program lies in the incorporation of prototyping workshops. We do not stay in theory; “The methodology forced the media to think in terms of ‘product’, validating the technical viability and financial impact of each idea before writing the first line of code,” said Ezequiel Arbusti, director of Marktube Group.
The workshops To design the prototypes they functioned as an internal accelerator. During these sessions, the mentors worked with interdisciplinary teams from each medium. Product design tools were used to define the minimum viable product (MVP), mapping data flows and establishing measurable objectives and key results, which ensured that the investment of time and money had a clear operational return.
A bot called “Pepe Pensamiento Libre”
Under this methodological line, Free press developed an AI bot in order to better meet the needs and interests of the site’s audience www.prensalibre.com. His name is “Pepe Pensamiento Libre”, and seeks to improve interaction with users through a friendly solution, service and close to the reader.
“The use of Artificial intelligence is a reality in our Newsroomthrough its concrete and strategic use to better serve our subscribers, who thanks to the innovation carried out in the AI Product Lab will be able to have a digital product that will facilitate them to have a quick perspective of the events that day by day mark news events, always with the commitment that these have been verified by a team of journalists committed to our institutional mission of practicing independent, honest and dignified journalism“commented Antonio Barrios Alvarado, editor-in-chief of the Editorial Board of Free press and Guatevision.
“Pepe Pensamiento Libre” will be available to digital subscribers in the coming weeks. Among its special functions are assisting the user to locate content of interest, facilitating the reading of news through formats such as summaries or explainers and address each user’s individual queries about specific content.
“At Google, we are excited to see how media in Latin America are incorporating the use of AI to improve processes. Beyond technology, what really What inspires us is observing how they are integrating AI to redefine journalism, making it not only more efficient, but more sustainable. We are happy to be part of this path and see how regional innovation is setting a new standard for the industry,” shared Alejandra Brambila, News Partner Manager at Google.
Solutions for journalism
The impact has been tangible. The participating media AI Product Lab developed solutions that improve operational efficiencystrengthen data-based decision making and open new business opportunities.
“We saw an impressive evolution. We went from media outlets that were afraid or curious about AI to technical teams capable of design RAG architectures or intelligent agents that interact directly with their databases to generate real informative value,” said Rolando Castañón, head of the program’s technical mentoring.
The media that received funds and support to execute their projects, in addition to Free press (Guatemala), were: ABC (Paraguay), Ocote Agency (Guatemala), Search (Uruguay), Confidential (Nicaragua), CR Today (Costa Rica), El Heraldo Newspaper (Honduras), Divergent (Nicaragua), The National (Venezuela), The Country (Uruguay), The Zulia Regional (Venezuela), The Hour (Ecuador), The Nation (Costa Rica), The Press (Nicaragua), The Press (Panama), The Graphic Press (El Salvador), Daily List (Dominican Republic), Montevideo Portal (Uruguay), Regional Editorial (El Salvador), Nomads Magazine (Bolivia) and Costa Rica Television Company-Teletica (Costa Rica).