OPEN CALL: Fifth Cyber Investigations Training Course – Digital Threats in the Age of AI

Digital threats are everywhere, reshaping how we live, work, and communicate. Disinformation, trolling, malware, spyware, and other forms of digital manipulation are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and AI is fueling the whole landscape. For investigative reporters, developing an AI-literate mindset has never been more critical.

In this free training course, reporters from around the world will learn how to identify and investigate digital threats in the current AI-infused digital environment — and how to use AI to assist with exposing attacks and manipulation. The goal is to provide them with the expertise needed to deliver cyber investigations across a range of beats and topics.

For the fifth time, GIJN is working with renowned journalist Craig Silverman and a group of cutting-edge trainers to offer a unique cyber investigations training program specifically tailored for investigative reporters and others in watchdog journalism. It will be delivered online through hands-on practical sessions and with some of the world’s leading digital investigative journalism trainers.

Date: October 5, 2026, twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays).

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm EDT (Mondays); 10:00 am – 11:30 am EDT (Thursdays) See what time it is in your country here.

Deadline to apply: August 7, 2026 at midnight ET. APPLY HERE.

Note: the course will run from the first week of October through the third week of November, skipping over the last week of October (26 – 30) to avoid conflicting with IJ WEEK. Those selected for this course will also enjoy access to attend the sessions and workshops of IJ WEEK.

If granted a place in the cohort, applicants are required to complete a pre-course survey and attend all sessions of the program in full. Participants will develop a story or project pitch and present it at the end of the course. The estimated time commitment is roughly six hours a week. Applicants must be proficient at understanding and reading English.

Priority will be given to journalists who can demonstrate promise or experience in doing investigations about AI and disinformation, malware, spyware, or trolling. Selection will be based on the quality of the application, the country where the journalist is based, and the level of work submitted. Applications are encouraged from journalists in the Global South.

Topics Covered in the Training Sessions

• The fundamentals of digital investigations
• The threat landscape: malware and spyware
• Digging into DNS, connecting websites and infrastructure together
• Investigating disinformation and trolling
• Network analysis

Trainers

• Craig Silverman, Indicator
• Jane Lytvynenko, NBC News
• Etienne “tek” Maynier, Human Rights Watch
• Luis Assardo, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and independent researcher

Questions?

If you have any questions, please send us an email at cyber.training@gijn.org

The deadline to apply: August 7, 2026 at midnight ET. APPLY HERE.

Unfortunately, due to capacity, we will only be in touch with applicants who have been selected for the cyber investigations training.