Newsroom leaders view artificial intelligence (AI) tools as transformative for journalism, enabling journalists to shift focus from routine tasks to substantive reporting. However, maximizing AI benefits requires managing expectations and securing managerial support, insights from research on global news organizations suggest. Two academic studies, involving researchers at the Associated Press (AP) and the BBC, document the industry's evolving interaction with AI. The first study examines how journalists’ expectations influenced an AP initiative aimed at integrating AI in local newsrooms, while the second explores AI usage at the BBC and the advantages of academic involvement. Key findings from the research include: 1. **Expectation Management**: Leaders overseeing AI trials must set realistic expectations since AI tools often need to be customized for specific newsroom contexts. 2. **Human Oversight Requirement**: AI applications generally necessitate journalist involvement to ensure accurate outputs, from summaries to news articles. 3.

**Researcher Collaboration**: Engaging researchers helps newsrooms develop tailored AI solutions, avoiding reliance on preconceived notions about AI’s capabilities. 4. **Managerial Buy-in**: Support from managerial staff is crucial for successful AI experimentation and implementation. The AP initiative, which began in 2021 with funding from the Knight Foundation, involved assessing AI readiness in local newsrooms and has since sought to support them through various AI projects. For example, initiatives ranged from developing automated transcripts for KSAT-TV to creating a weather bot for El Vocero in Puerto Rico, aimed at timely dissemination of vital information. As journalists reported, AI tools have alleviated some workloads, allowing more time for original reporting while also addressing the risks associated with AI, such as reliance on imperfect technology. Despite the potential for efficiency gains, the researchers noted that assumptions about AI's ability to revolutionize journalism should be closely scrutinized, as its effectiveness varies by newsroom size and context. At the BBC, researchers engaged journalists from 2020 to 2023, producing a guide on AI’s risks and emphasizing that meaningful collaboration between academia and the news industry is essential for navigating emerging technologies. In conclusion, while AI holds promise for enhancing journalistic practice, expectations should be tempered, and the importance of human oversight and managerial support cannot be overstated for effective integration into newsrooms.