In response to the rapid advancements in technology, particularly the ascendance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), media professionals are urged to hone their skills to keep pace with the latest innovations and digital tools.
Under the banner of “Journalism, Digital Tech, and AI Dialogue: Navigating Digital Disruption, Leveraging the Power of AI, and Securing the Vitality of the Media,” the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) hosted a workshop in Abuja. The event aimed to foster a deeper understanding of AI’s role in journalism and its implications for the media landscape.
Dapo Olorunyomi, CEO of CJID, set the tone for the dialogue by stressing the significance of comprehending the guiding principles behind the burgeoning influence of AI. He emphasized that while AI can expedite journalistic processes, it also brings the risk of misinformation dissemination, necessitating vigilance from journalists.
The discussions commenced with a panel focusing on the “Global AI Landscape and Opportunities for Nigeria (Africa).” Panelists highlighted AI’s potential to harness vast amounts of data for monetization and improved utilization in Nigeria. However, they cautioned that collaborative efforts within the industry are essential to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
In the subsequent panel, titled “The Current State of AI and Digital Transformation in Media and Civil Society Organization Practice in Nigeria,” challenges such as gender disparities in technological roles were identified. The urgent need for a more inclusive technological ecosystem was emphasized, along with AI’s transformative impact on information processing.
Ethical considerations took center stage during the session on “Ethics and Safety Concerns in the Adoption of AI for Media and Civil Society Practice.” Veteran journalist Kadaria Ahmed led discussions on AI’s disruptive potential in information gathering and dissemination. She challenged newsrooms to integrate AI tools ethically to elevate content quality while upholding journalistic standards.
Stakeholders advocated for systemic approaches to enhance media literacy, recognizing both the potential benefits and personal challenges associated with AI adoption.
Journalists were encouraged to proactively embrace AI literacy and collaborate across disciplines to position themselves for future opportunities. Editors underscored that while concerns about AI replacing human journalists persist, those willing to enhance their technological skills are better poised for success. They emphasized the critical role of fact-checking to combat misinformation in AI-generated content.
Tech innovators defended AI’s role as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them, with a focus on problem-solving and efficiency improvement.
The event also featured goodwill messages from esteemed figures, including the Vice President of Africa at Luminate, members of the House of Representatives, and ambassadors from Belgium, Spain, Norway, and Finland. These messages provided valuable insights into the potential and challenges of integrating generative AI into journalism practices.
With breakout sessions, interactive Q&A segments, group photographs, and the presentation of a communique, the workshop offered a comprehensive exploration of journalism’s future in the AI era.
In response to the rapid advancements in technology and the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), media professionals are encouraged to update their skills to match the latest innovations. The Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) organized a workshop in Abuja themed "Journalism, Digital Tech, and AI Dialogue," aimed at enhancing the understanding of AI’s role in journalism.
Dapo Olorunyomi, CEO of CJID, emphasized the importance of understanding AI’s impact, noting its potential to speed up journalism processes while posing the risk of spreading misinformation. The workshop featured panels discussing the global AI landscape, its opportunities for Nigeria, and the current state of AI and digital transformation in Nigerian media and civil society organizations.
One panel highlighted the need for accurate and reliable data management and the importance of collaboration within the industry. Another focused on challenges like gender disparities in tech roles and emphasized the need for inclusivity and the transformative impact of AI on information processing.
Ethical considerations were a major topic, with veteran journalist Kadaria Ahmed urging newsrooms to use AI tools ethically to improve content quality while maintaining journalistic standards. The discussions also stressed the importance of media literacy and proactive AI adoption by journalists to leverage future opportunities.
The event underscored that AI is a tool to enhance human capabilities, not replace them, and the critical need for fact-checking to prevent misinformation. High-profile figures provided insights on integrating AI into journalism, and the workshop concluded with various interactive sessions and the presentation of a communique.
