ONA25 in New Orleans: The Countdown Begins After Powerful AI Journalism Summit in Detroit

Media Bites News Desk

The Online News Association (ONA) is building momentum toward its much-anticipated ONA25 Annual Congress, set to take place in September 2025 in New Orleans, with a series of engaging pre-events across the U.S. The latest of these was the ONA x Newsroom Robots AI Leadership Summit held in Detroit, which drew news leaders, technologists, and journalists for two intense days of future-focused dialogue.

The Detroit summit sparked essential conversations around the rapidly shifting landscape of journalism in the age of artificial intelligence. From the collapse of traditional search models to the possible extinction of article-based formats, the gathering pushed attendees to rethink the very fabric of how news is created and consumed.

Some of the key takeaways included:

• Dig deeper than surface problems — real innovation demands identifying and solving core issues.

• AI is more than automation — it’s transforming storytelling, editorial workflows, and the distribution of information.

• Collaboration is key — shared learning and peer connection are vital as newsrooms evolve together.

Participants like Yahoo en Español’s editorial strategist emphasized how integrating AI thoughtfully into workflows — such as translation without compromising editorial integrity — can drive efficiency while enriching content offerings.

READ MORE: WAN-IFRA Krakow recap: Journalism’s future tied to Gen Z, says Mediahuis Executive

This summit also marked an early success for Nikita Patel, the newly appointed CEO of ONA. Her energetic leadership is already showing promise, and ONA25 in New Orleans will be her first major test — one she appears more than ready to meet with her deep experience and visionary approach.

Thanks were extended to Robert Hernandez of the NAHJ Adelante Academy, and ONA leaders Niketa Patel and Meghan Murphy, for making the Detroit event a resounding success. Special recognition was also given to AI leaders Nikita Roy and Upasna Gautam for their insightful contributions on navigating the intersection of news and AI.

As ONA moves full speed toward New Orleans, the message is clear: the future of journalism is here, and it’s powered by purpose, technology, and community.

🔗 Stay tuned for more updates on #ONA25 — where the future of news will take center stage.