
Axios and OpenAI have announced a multiyear partnership to expand Axios Local to four additional cities: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kansas City, Missouri; Boulder, Colorado; and Huntsville, Alabama. The deal represents OpenAI's first direct investment in local newsrooms, marking a significant moment in the intersection of AI and journalism.
Key Points:
- Axios Local will expand its footprint to 34 cities with this new initiative.
- OpenAI will fund the expansion and provide its AI technology to support newsroom operations.
- The partnership is part of a broader strategy to use AI in enhancing local journalism.
- Axios aims to scale its local footprint to 100 cities over time.
Axios, known for its concise and accessible journalism, is teaming up with OpenAI to extend its local news reach to four new markets. The three-year agreement will see OpenAI fund the newsroom expansions while also offering technical assistance to improve the creation, distribution, and monetization of Axios' journalism.
This collaboration builds on Axios' ambitious plan to broaden its local journalism footprint. Axios Local currently operates in 30 U.S. cities, serving over two million newsletter subscribers. The four new additions—Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Boulder, and Huntsville—reflect a strategic move to cover regions with growing demand for local reporting.
OpenAI’s involvement signals the increasing role of AI in the media landscape. Axios journalists will retain full editorial control, but AI tools will streamline operational efficiencies, such as personalizing newsletters and optimizing content distribution. “AI can play a transformative role in supporting local journalism,” said Varun Shetty, OpenAI’s head of media partnerships.
This deal comes as part of OpenAI’s broader efforts to support news organizations. It has established partnerships with about 20 media entities, focusing on fostering a healthy news ecosystem. However, the tech industry’s involvement in journalism has faced scrutiny, especially after high-profile copyright disputes like the 2023 lawsuit between OpenAI and The New York Times.
Axios CEO Jim VandeHei highlighted the partnership’s potential to scale local reporting, emphasizing that AI will enhance, not replace, human journalists. “This expansion is a long-term project that aligns with our vision to bring quality local journalism to more communities,” he said in a memo.
As Axios continues to grow, it’s clear that the fusion of technology and journalism is reshaping how local news is delivered. This partnership underscores a shared belief that innovation can coexist with journalistic integrity, benefiting both readers and the broader media landscape.