About Chicago Public Media:
Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media (CPM) is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. We serve over 2 million people weekly, providing vital, objective news across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. With a deep commitment to factual journalism, our work connects and informs diverse communities, fosters dialogue, and sparks meaningful change.
At WBEZ, we deliver award-winning news programming and podcasts that dig deep into the issues that matter most to Chicagoans. Chicago Sun-Times is renowned for its investigative reporting and in-depth coverage of local politics, sports, and culture. Together, we are committed to the mission of creating diverse, compelling content that makes a difference.
About the Role:
We are seeking an AI Engineering Fellow to drive innovation and introduce AI-driven solutions to Chicago Public Media for the first time. This two-year fellowship, funded by the Lenfest Institute, is ideal for a seasoned AI professional ready to make an impact by designing and implementing cutting-edge AI tools to make our content more accessible, engaging, and personalized. You’ll be at the forefront of bridging the gap between audio, digital, and print media, expanding CPM’s ability to reach and resonate with the diverse communities across Chicago.
As an AI Engineering Fellow, you’ll work directly with our Product Engineering team to develop AI solutions that empower both our editorial and technology teams, enhancing the experience for both our content creators and audiences. This fellowship is an opportunity to mentor, collaborate, and shape the future of journalism through the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Key Responsibilities:
AI-Powered Content Tools
- Develop and deploy AI tools to transcribe, summarize, and translate audio content (e.g., radio broadcasts, podcasts) for accessibility across multiple platforms.
- Implement solutions for summarizing and localizing content to make it more accessible to non-native English speakers and individuals with disabilities.
Personalized Content Recommendation System
- Design and implement a recommendation engine that curates personalized content across CPM platforms based on user behavior, driving user engagement and content discoverability.
- Collaborate with WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times teams to integrate this system seamlessly across platforms for a cohesive user experience.
AI-Enhanced Search & Chatbot Functionality
- Improve the website’s search functionality with AI-powered enhancements to provide relevant, real-time search results and summaries.
- Build and optimize a chatbot to assist users in navigating content, retrieving information, and interacting with the platforms, enhancing overall engagement and satisfaction.
Collaboration & Mentorship
- Collaborate closely with the newsroom, product, and engineering teams to ensure AI solutions meet editorial needs and align with our mission.
- Mentor and train colleagues on AI-driven projects and best practices, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and growth.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Prioritize DEI in all AI projects, designing tools that address the unique needs of underserved and underrepresented communities.
- Engage in community listening sessions to ensure AI solutions are inclusive and reflect the diverse populations that CPM serves.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- 5+ years of applied AI experience, including building and deploying AI solutions (preferably in media or content-heavy environments).
- Proficiency in Python and JavaScript, with experience in OpenAI API or similar AI tools. Familiarity with Java (especially for CMS integration) is a plus.
- Demonstrated success leading complex AI projects with multiple stakeholders.
- Passion for the mission of journalism and a commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality information.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Involvement in open-source projects focused on the public good or community impact.
- Strong ability to manage multiple projects while prioritizing tasks effectively.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with an emphasis on mentoring and knowledge-sharing.
Why Chicago Public Media?
At CPM, we believe that dedicated, passionate people are at the heart of great journalism. We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, and we’re committed to developing our employees, ensuring they thrive professionally and personally.
As a fellow, you’ll have access to a broad range of benefits, including:
- Generous Paid Time Off, including 6 weeks fully paid family leave, 3 weeks vacation, and 4 personal days.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision plans with affordable options.
- 403(b) retirement plan with company match.
- Professional growth opportunities, including mentorship and career development programs.
- Supportive Work Environment: Join a team where diversity of thought, experience, and background is celebrated.
