Shaping the Narrative: Storytelling in the Age of AI at CNN Academy 2025, Dublin

Stone Paper Scissors Supports CNN Academy’s Fifth Simulation: Storytelling in the Age of AI

We were delighted to once again support CNN Academy’s annual simulation—now in its fifth year—hosted this summer in Dublin, Ireland. The 2025 programme, Storytelling in the Age of AI, brought together aspiring journalists and early-career media professionals for a week of immersive training and real-time newsroom simulation.

Participants worked through a fast-paced sequence of unfolding, fictional breaking news scenarios, simulating the editorial challenges of contemporary journalism. Throughout the experience, they developed core skills in digital reporting, misinformation analysis, ethical decision-making, and investigative techniques.

The simulation was enhanced by contributions from CNN journalists and external media experts, offering participants valuable insights into the evolving global media landscape.

Key Training Elements Included:

• Multiplatform content production

• Mobile storytelling (shooting and editing)

• Open-source intelligence and verification methods

• The role of AI in shaping modern journalism

• Practical, scenario-based newsroom exercises

Spotlight: Confronting Digital Disinformation

Rex Brynen, Professor of Political Science at McGill University, has shared a powerful video from this year’s CNN Academy simulation, which focused on the pressing theme of digital disinformation.

You can view the video and read Rex’s full reflections on the exercise at PAXsims: