The rise of AI in journalism comes at a time when traditional media outlets are grappling with dwindling resources, financial instability, and a crisis of public trust. For grassroots journalism, which has historically operated outside these institutional frameworks, the integration of AI presents distinctive opportunities and challenges. As AI becomes more prevalent in content creation, information sourcing, and analysis, we must ask: How does AI influence the identity of grassroots journalism, and what impact does this have on its mission of amplifying marginalized voices?

In the first article in this series, I explored some of the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities in Thailand as well as their efforts to build networks of solidarity. To provide additional insight into the subject, I had the opportunity to speak with Pi Phnom, an Indigenous journalist based in Northern Thailand. He is known for founding the Indigenous Media Network (Thailand) and has collaborated with other Indigenous organizations such as the Inter Mountain People Education and Culture in Thailand Association (IMPECT) on many pertinent Indigenous issues in the country.

By Savannah Crowley

In her latest post for our Weaving the Streets project, Savannah Crowley reflects on her experience of traveling to Culiacan, Sinaloa (Mexico), to “learn from activists and community leaders on the ground who are building peace in the heart of the Drug War” in the aftermath of the assassination of renowned journalist Javier Valdez.