The goal of the CJF Hinton Award for Excellence in AI Safety Reporting is to promote thoughtful, evidence-based reporting that raises awareness of catastrophic risks associated with AI, fosters public understanding, and encourages dialogue on creating a safer future for humanity.
The Award is named for Professor Geoffrey Hinton, Nobel Laureate, one of the pioneers of modern artificial deep learning, who is also one of its most prominent critics and cautionary voices. The CJF Hinton Award for Excellence in AI Safety Reporting also seeks to highlight journalism that not only identifies challenges but also explores innovative solutions and pathways to mitigate risks – advancing public conversation on how AI technologies can be developed and applied responsibly.
Prize: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to Canadian journalists or teams whose work is published on a national media platform.
Media Formats Accepted:
• Long-form Investigative Reporting or Series
• Digital Media / Multimedia Storytelling Podcast
• Audio Reporting (e.g., Radio Features)
• Documentary (Audio or Video)
Submissions will be evaluated on how the story/series accomplishes the following:
• Provides nuanced, evidence-based reporting on AI safety challenges
• Explores ethical dilemmas, societal risks, and the potential catastrophic risks of AI technologies
• Investigates and highlights solutions that aim to mitigate risks and enhance AI safety
• Highlights the necessary safeguards of AI to ensure a secure and safe future
• Demonstrates scientific accuracy and upholds journalistic integrity
• Promotes public understanding of complex AI safety issues
Timeline for submissions: Submissions open in December 2025, alongside the CJF's annual awards.
The recipient will be announced at the annual CJF Awards ceremony in June 2026.
