The New Delhi-headquartered Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has launched a dedicated AI academy aimed at preparing media professionals, educators and students for the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape, with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Chanchal Kumar saying the initiative would help the media industry adapt to technological transformation.

Speaking at the launch event in the Capital yesterday, Kumar, according to an official statement put out by the Ministry, said artificial intelligence was reshaping communication and journalism globally, and underlined the need for institutions to equip professionals with future-ready skills.

“AI is no longer optional for the media industry; it is becoming integral to how content is created, distributed and consumed,” he said, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting statement, adding that the academy would help build responsible and ethical use of AI in media and communication.

The newly launched academy, titled AIME Academy (AI Academy for Media and Entertainment), has been set up by IIMC in collaboration with Google and will function as a hybrid training platform for newsrooms, media educators and communication professionals.

According to the Ministry statement, the programme aims to strengthen AI literacy and practical understanding of emerging technologies among stakeholders in the media ecosystem.

The academy will focus on areas such as generative AI, verification tools, responsible AI practices, content creation workflows and digital newsroom transformation. The programme has been designed to provide both theoretical understanding and practical exposure to AI applications relevant to journalism and mass communication, the statement said.

Kumar said the initiative reflected the government’s broader push towards responsible technology adoption and capacity building in the media sector. He noted that media organisations and academic institutions must work together to ensure that AI is used in a transparent and accountable manner while preserving the core principles of journalism.

IIMC said the academy would create a platform for collaboration between academia, industry experts and media practitioners, while also enabling participants to understand the opportunities and challenges arising from AI-driven communication systems. The initiative is expected to support capacity-building efforts across Indian newsrooms and journalism institutions.