Welcome to the July edition of the Young Professionals in Media newsletter!

The media industry is shifting fast and young professionals are in the thick of it. From AI experiments to hybrid skillsets and changing audience expectations, the ground is moving beneath our feet.

In this edition, we explore how AI is shaping our work, the skills we need to keep pace, and what our peers are learning along the way.

Maria Sakki

Lead insight analyst at Financial Times and a member of the INMA Young Professionals Committee.

AI in the newsroom: beyond the buzz

Artificial Intelligence is already working behind the scenes in many newsrooms, powering automation, surfacing insights, and nudging audience strategies. From live dashboards to generative writing aids, its influence is growing.

As for how it’s being used, improving workflow efficiency tops the list (94%), followed by automating scheduling and distribution of content (82%) and automating video editing, such as social clips and subtitles (82%) according to a survey of 108 publishers and broadcasters conducted by Digiday and Arc XP, featured in the INMA Generative AI Initiative Newsletter Blog.

This isn’t about robots replacing journalists. It’s about new workflows, faster decisions, and the need for human oversight more than ever. 

Skills to watch (and build)

If you’re looking ahead to your next role or thinking about how to grow in the one you have, these three skills are rising fast:

1. Data confidence: Not just reading dashboards but asking good questions and challenging assumptions. Data is part of every decision now, not just an afterthought.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights AI and big data as the fastest-growing workplace skills, along with resilience, flexibility, and curiosity, all key to confident, critical use of data.

2. Product thinking: Understanding how things are built, launched, and tested helps no matter your title. Cross-functional literacy is a game-changer. 

McKinsey’s article on the “Gen AI Skills Revolution” stresses that companies are shifting toward a skills-first approach, including interdisciplinary skills like product thinking to drive AI adoption.

3. Adaptability: Whether it’s new tools, platforms, or hybrid job scopes, being flexible is what keeps you relevant.

Business Insider quotes tech execs who emphasise adaptability and master­ing AI tools (e.g., prompt design, workflow orchestration) as core skills for thriving in the AI era.

Strengthening your data confidence, product thinking, and adaptability isn’t just about keeping up. It’s about working smarter and staying relevant as AI becomes part of everyday decision-making.

From the YPC network: what we’re learning

We asked a two committee members to reflect on a key shift or learning moment in their media careers. Here’s what they said:

Cwayita Nondula, editor, I’solezwe lesiXhosa: “Over the past two years, I have undergone two major restructures, progressing to a senior position. As a reporter turned editor, I have learned to balance editorial vision with leadership, embracing versatility and strategic thinking. A key takeaway has been the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating change and uncertainty.”

Mitch Gaylord, subscriber acquisition manager, The Washington Post: “Last year I transitioned from an e-mail marketing focused role to take an omni-channel focus. I’m still learning today, but the first few months required a new approach to data and segmentation. Thinking holistically across our acquisition strategy has helped me identify new opportunities to drive growth.”

We want to hear from you

What’s shifting in your work life right now? What skills are you building? Or struggling with? Send your thoughts to maria.sakki@ft.com. We’d love to share more community reflections in future editions.

About this newsletter

Today’s newsletter is written by a member of the INMA Young Professionals Committee (YPC), part of the INMA Young Professionals Initiative. The initiative seeks to engage under-30 rising stars to elevate news media, guide the INMA community, and bring new life and energy to an industry undergoing transformation. 

E-mail Anna-Katarina Kölbl, committee chair, at anna-katharina.koelbl@funkemedien.de with thoughts, suggestions, and questions.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .