WAN-IFRA Welcomes Ezra Eeman as Strategic Advisor for AI Initiatives
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ezra Eeman as a strategic advisor for its AI initiatives. Eeman brings with him a wealth of experience in media innovation and strategic foresight, making him the ideal candidate to guide WAN-IFRA’s efforts in advancing the adoption and integration of artificial intelligence technologies across the news media industry.
In his role as strategic advisor, Eeman will leverage his expertise to support WAN-IFRA members in exploring AI opportunities and integrating AI technologies into their operations. He will be responsible for supporting the creation of AI roadmaps, facilitating forums, and guiding discussions to encourage the adoption of AI across the media industry.
Eeman has been a driving force in the digital transformation of the media industry for over a decade, and has played a pivotal role in numerous innovation projects, boosting digital capabilities and audience engagement. With his experience spanning AI applications in content creation, editorial workflows, and newsroom automation, Eeman has established himself as a thought leader in leveraging AI to revolutionize media practices.
Vincent Peyrègne, CEO of WAN-IFRA, expressed his excitement about Eeman joining the team: “AI, both generative and analytical, is reshaping the news media industry, and the field of AI is continuously evolving with new techniques and paradigms emerging regularly. With Ezra’s expertise, WAN-IFRA is excited to assist its members in harnessing AI for innovation and growth, ensuring they remain at the forefront of this rapidly changing environment.”
Eeman’s strategic insight, innovation experience, and deep understanding of the media industry have positioned him as a respected voice in the application of AI within media organisations, making him an expert in this rapidly evolving field.
WAN-IFRA Launches Initiatives to Support AI Adoption in Media
In addition to Eeman’s appointment, WAN-IFRA has launched several initiatives to support its members in understanding and implementing AI technologies, while learning from industry best practices. These initiatives include an AI Community, AI Forums, Study Tours, and an AI Academy.
The AI Community is a dedicated platform for news media executives and content creators to network and share insights on AI in media. Led by Eeman, this community includes a Slack channel, regular webinars featuring expert speakers, and case studies, fostering meaningful collaboration.
The AI Forums bring together AI practitioners and thought leaders from regional and international events. These forums have already been successfully held in Bengaluru, Jakarta, Madrid, and Paris, with upcoming events in Frankfurt and Mexico City. The forums serve as annual meeting points for media professionals to exchange ideas and best practices.
In addition, WAN-IFRA’s AI-focused study tours in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Bengaluru provide first-hand exposure to cutting-edge AI technologies. And the AI Academy, a new learning platform, offers self-paced online modules focused on newsroom AI applications, equipping media professionals with practical AI skills to thrive in an AI-driven future.
These initiatives complement WAN-IFRA’s ongoing projects, including the Newsroom AI Catalyst Accelerator, which trains 128 newsrooms across Europe, APAC, Latin America, and South Asia in collaboration with OpenAI. The accelerator helps newsrooms build AI prototypes and scale AI solutions. WAN-IFRA also has a Data Science Expert Group, an international community of over 400 data analysts, scientists, and engineers dedicated to providing insights, tools, and feedback to grow audiences, deepen engagement, and optimize revenues.
Advisory Board Driving Strategic AI Initiatives
To further strengthen its AI initiatives, WAN-IFRA has established an Advisory Board, chaired by Eeman and comprising leading AI experts and media professionals from prominent organisations. This distinguished board provides strategic insights and guidance to shape WAN-IFRA’s AI roadmap, addressing key challenges and driving impactful AI adoption across the media industry.
The board includes:
Jane Barrett, Reuters (United Kingdom)Fergus Bell, Fathm (United Kingdom)Jessica Davis, Gannett Media | USA TODAY (United States)David Dieudonné, Ouest-France (France)José Gutiérrez Cuellar, PRISA (Spain)Fabian Heckenberger, Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany)Kasper Lindskow, JP/Politikens Media Group (Denmark)Juan Carlos Lopez Calvet, Schibsted Media (Norway)Ingrid Verschuren, Dow Jones (Spain)
WAN-IFRA’s goal is to empower media professionals to navigate AI’s transformative possibilities, and through these initiatives and the leadership of Eeman, they aim to do just that.
Contact and Inquiries
For further inquiries, please contact Giselle Ho, giselle.ho[[[@]]]wan-ifra.org.
About WAN-IFRA
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.