NBCU Academy Hosts Free Virtual and In-Person Student Innovation Summit: The AI Generation

NBCU Academy creates a sustainable pipeline of access and opportunity to people across all genders, races, geographic and socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives.    

NBCU Academy, a free, award-winning education program will host a Student Innovation Summit in partnership with Comcast's Project UP on September 25 from 1:00-4:00pm at Columbia College Chicago. The in-person and virtual program, offered at no cost to students and early-stage professionals, allows attendees the opportunity to gain valuable insight from top executives, content creators and talent across NBCUniversal, Comcast and beyond.  

NBCU Academy & Project Up: Next Level Summit Agenda

AI & The Future of Work

AI is revolutionizing the way people work across nearly every industry. Stay ahead of this rapidly evolving technology and uncover new career opportunities for aspiring innovators. Join us to gain valuable insights from top leaders that could redefine your professional path.

Using AI as a Tool

Artificial Intelligence is quickly changing how people work, live and play. Join this interactive workshop to discover the top AI tools that can boost your efficiency and save you time in all aspects of your life. Our panel of experts will provide practical, hands-on guidance on how to craft AI-driven requests for the best results and demonstrate real-world applications, including using ChatGPT, data-cleaning bots, and investigative journalism tools. Students will also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how national news organizations leverage AI to work smarter and more effectively.

AI's Impact on Journalism

We are just beginning to understand the profound impact AI is having on journalism. In this session, learn how AI tools were crucial in a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative series into police misconduct. Top industry leaders will share how they utilize AI in everything from newsgathering and graphic creation to combating misinformation. They will also share how they navigate the ethical challenges and safeguards needed to responsibly integrate AI into the newsroom.

Featured Speakers Will Include:

Brian Cheung, NBC News Business Correspondent
Frank Holland, CNBC “Worldwide Exchange” Anchor, Tech & Transports Correspondent  
Rashida Jones, MSNBC President 
Liam Andrew, American Journalism Project Technology Lead
Chris Berend, NBCU News Group Chief Digital Officer 
Andrew McCaskill, LinkedIn Career Expert 
Kristina Francis, JFFLabs at Jobs for the Future Executive Director
Natalie Martinez, NBC Chicago Reporter  
Jasmine Cui, NBC News Data Journalist  
Brian Carovillano, NBCU News Group Standards & Practices SVP  

How Do I register For NBCU Academy’s Next Level Summit: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential 

Sign up for the September 25 award-winning summit HERE. 

What is NBCU Academy?  

NBCU Academy is a free, award-winning education program for developing new skills and advancing careers in journalism, media and technology. Through our multi-platform initiative — video tutorials, best practices articles, virtual summits and in-person panels — NBCU Academy provides tools and resources for journalists, content creators, media innovators, filmmakers and students. This includes partnerships with 45 academic institutions across the country: four-year universities, community colleges, tribal colleges, tech schools, PWIs, HSIs and HBCUs. NBCU Academy is part of Project UP, Comcast NBCUniversal’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.