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Discouraged by increasingly troublesome depictions of journalists in his studies at Syracuse University and in his work at NBC, Ghael Fobes decided to dedicate himself to developing strategies for effective artificial intelligence use within the field.

Fobes, a 2022 SU graduate, was honored as a 2025 Marshall Scholar, a scholarship based out of the United Kingdom that finances recent American university graduates to pursue further education at a university in the U.K. While abroad, Fobes said he hopes to study how news organizations can use AI to their benefit in a time when AI is often viewed as a threat to many industries.

Around 50 scholars from across the United States are chosen each year for the scholarship. Founded in the 1950s, it’s meant to show appreciation for the Marshall Plan, an act signed by President Harry Truman in 1948 to provide monetary aid to European nations as they rebuilt after World War II. The scholarship aims to inspire students to be “ambassadors” between the U.S. and the U.K.

“It doesn’t really feel like people are actively looking at answers for this industry,” Fobes said. “I went into journalism wanting to build better, more resilient organizations. I think this program is going to be really helpful.”

While at SU, Fobes majored in broadcast and digital journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and minored in political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He concluded his time at SU as a commencement speaker for his graduating class.

Fobes said that he got some on-air experience while in school, but discovered he was more interested in what he called the “mechanics” of journalism.

“How do we build organizations that are stable and that have good, hospitable conditions for journalists?” he said.

Following graduation, Fobes worked as a White House producer for NBC News in Washington, D.C. After gaining professional experience in the field, Fobes honed in on areas of innovation in modern news organizations.

Fobes said it’s essential for journalists — along with those in other professions — to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to working with artificial intelligence. He said journalism has often been slow to adapt to new technologies.

Courtesy of Ghael Fobes

Fobes worked for NBC News as a White House producer in Washington, D.C. After gaining professional experience, he decided to focus on innovating modern news organizations through the use of AI.

“Oftentimes, (journalists) have been reactionary to new technologies,” Fobes said. “That has lost a lot of the revenue that goes into journalism organizations. So, I wanted to find ways of being resilient.”

Fobes attributed his accomplishment to the help of SU’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship advising. Jolynn Parker, CFSA’s director, introduced the scholarship to him and guided him through the process when he eventually decided to apply, two years after his graduation.

“Ghael stood out as a strong applicant for the Marshall Scholarship because of the clarity and urgency of his goals, to develop responsible practices for integrating AI into news production, to combat disinformation, and because of his remarkable preparation and capacity to achieve those goals,” Parker said.

Through the Marshall Scholarship, Ghael plans on building connections with BBC and Bridging Responsible AI Divides, an organization that promotes informed and ethical AI use.

Parker said Fobes’ experiences overseas will allow him to return to professional life as a leader in machine learning technologies.

As part of his application, Fobes said he was expected to be clear and concise about how his studies will impact the rest of the world. He plans on pursuing two master’s degrees – in data and artificial intelligence ethics and in future governance – at the University of Edinburgh, which he chose due to its strong focus on AI ethics.

“It’s really important that we have people that can ask the right questions,” Fobes said. “I think that the heart of being a journalist is asking really tough questions. Does this progress include everybody? Are we accounting for all the potential obstacles that might happen? Does this disadvantage certain people?”

Published on January 16, 2025 at 12:10 am

Contact Anna: aclevitt@syr.edu