Knight Center for the Future of News
Move fast, make a difference.
Journalism is at an inflection point. Artificial intelligence is a present force, reshaping every aspect of society. Trust is at a historic low. Threats to funding and independence are increasing. The time to respond is now. If we hesitate, we risk irrelevance. If we act with courage and clarity, we will make a difference.
The Knight Center for the Future of News at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication exists to do just that. With the support of a visionary $10.5 million investment from Knight Foundation and driven by ASU's principled innovation ethos, we are boldly accelerating journalism's transformation.
The Knight Center for the Future of News is anchored by three dynamic labs and an information hub that connects thought leaders, gathers insights and disseminates innovation. It will also provide training, support, tools and actionable intelligence to help others adapt and lead.
In the news
Confronting the Future of Local News: 2025 Report
Legendary journalist, Len Downie, under whose leadership the The Washington Post earned 25 Pulitzer Prizes, offers a powerful examination of the state of local journalism in Confronting the Future of Local News. Downie unpacks the urgent challenges facing local media and emerging innovations.
Our core initiatives
What we stand for
Through rapid prototyping, iterative design, and real-world testing, we speed innovation—not in isolation, but in community.
Every project we undertake aims for real-world impact: restoring trust, rebuilding local media, engaging communities and sustaining independent journalism.
We work with technologists and others to create AI-driven solutions for sustainable business models, community engagement and powerful new forms of storytelling.
The audience comes first in all we do. We convene communities, media practitioners, technologists, scholars and students to form an ambitious and innovative coalition.
We share every validated idea, while providing training and support.