AI for journalists: Using Zapier to connect your apps (Module 3.1)

Instructor: Joe Amditis, associate director, Center for Cooperative Media

In this module, Joe Amditis introduces Zapier—a no-code automation platform that lets you connect the apps and tools you already use to streamline your journalism workflow. From Google Docs and Slack to Gmail and OpenAI, Zapier helps you move data between platforms automatically so you can spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time reporting.

You’ll learn how to set up basic “Zaps,” trigger actions based on events, and integrate generative AI into your process without writing a single line of code. Whether you’re distributing newsletters, logging interviews, or auto-summarizing documents, this module will show you how to make your tools work together behind the scenes.

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Chapters:
00:00:00 – Introduction to module 3: Automation
00:00:21 – Why automation is more valuable than generation
00:02:13 – Accessing the OpenAI platform backend
00:04:57 – Understanding system messages and instructions
00:06:49 – Introduction to Zapier for no-code automation
00:09:03 – Creating your first zap with Slack integration
00:10:15 – Configuring the Slack trigger conditions
00:12:05 – Setting up a Google Sheet for data collection
00:13:19 – Connecting Slack to Google Sheets
00:14:34 – Testing your basic automation workflow
00:16:48 – Adding ChatGPT integration for sentiment analysis
00:18:04 – Configuring AI parameters and instructions
00:22:12 – Completing the automation chain
00:23:23 – Testing the full AI-enhanced workflow
00:24:30 – Conclusion and preview of advanced automations

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🗣️ ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Twitter: https://x.com/jsamditis
Instagram:   / jamditis  
Medium:   / jamditis  
LinkedIn:   / jamditis  

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