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Communities
of Practice

AI Salon is home to communities of practice serving journalists, researchers, technologists, and public-interest practitioners across Africa and beyond.

Communities of Practice Illustration

What Are CoPs

Peer-to-peer learning networks for practitioners who care

AI Salon's Communities of Practice (CoPs) are peer-to-peer learning networks for leaders and practitioners working at the intersection of data, journalism, AI, and public-interest technology.

Our largest CoPs are open to individuals across the field, fostering broad peer exchange and shared resources. Smaller communities serve specific constituencies — from investigative data journalists to AI governance researchers and emerging practitioners.

Each community provides space for strategic learning, peer connection, open knowledge sharing, and collective problem-solving — all with the goal of strengthening the future of public-interest work across Africa and beyond.

All Communities of Practice are free to join.

6
Active Communities
1K+
Practitioners Reached
20+
Countries Represented
Free
To Join — Always

Learn more about the communities

Six communities. One shared purpose: collective intelligence in service of the public interest.

01
Data Journalists
A community for reporters, researchers, and editors who work with data, investigations, and evidence-based storytelling. Members share methodologies, datasets, and tools — learning from each other's successes and failures in the field. From scraping public records to building interactive databases, this community helps practitioners grow their technical and editorial skills together.
Meets monthly — virtual sessions
Open to all levels
Data Analysis Investigations Storytelling
02
AI Practitioners
Technologists, developers, and researchers building and deploying AI systems in public-interest contexts. This community explores responsible AI development, shares practical implementation experiences, and collectively navigates the fast-moving landscape of AI tools, models, and infrastructure. A space for honest conversation about what works — and what doesn't.
Bi-weekly — virtual & in-person
Intermediate to advanced
Machine Learning Responsible AI Deployment
03
Media Innovators
Journalists, editors, and newsroom leaders navigating transformation in the media industry. From experimenting with new storytelling formats to restructuring editorial workflows and building sustainable models, this community brings together practitioners who are actively experimenting with the future of news — and learning from each other in the process.
Meets monthly — virtual sessions
Open to all levels
Newsroom Strategy Digital Formats Sustainability
04
Governance Researchers
Policy analysts, academics, civil society advocates, and researchers working on AI accountability, algorithmic governance, and the regulatory landscape. This community explores frameworks, legislation, and advocacy strategies — helping members stay ahead of policy developments and contribute meaningfully to public discourse on AI and society.
Meets quarterly — with reading groups
Researchers & policy practitioners
AI Policy Accountability Ethics
05
Emerging Practitioners
Students and early-career professionals building skills through real work. This community is designed for those who are early in their journey — curious, motivated, and eager to contribute to meaningful work. Members receive mentorship, gain access to projects, and build a network of peers who are navigating the same learning curve together.
Bi-weekly — mentorship + projects
Students & early career
Mentorship Skill Building Real Projects
06
Public Interest Technologists
Technologists who use their skills in service of democratic, civic, and public-interest goals. This community brings together people building tools for transparency, open data, digital rights, and civic engagement — sharing technical knowledge, discussing ethical challenges, and collaborating on projects that put technology to work for people, not profit.
Meets monthly — with project sprints
Open to all technologists
Civic Tech Open Data Digital Rights
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