On 27th May, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development facilitated a Journalism, Digital Technology, and AI dialogue that provided the opportunity for the needed conversation on the disruption by Artificial Intelligence in the media and digital communication space.
The dialogue that attracted stakeholders from various sectors including Technology, Governance, Business, Media, and Civil Society Organisations examined the current state of AI and Digital Transformation, especially in media and CSO practice in Nigeria.
The speakers highlighted ways to harness the power of AI to ensure a vibrant and equally responsible ecosystem, mapped out the global trends and opportunities it offers and explored the concerns and challenges that come with it.
We commend the CJID for organising the timely dialogue, considering the urgent need for a better understanding of AI’s impact on Journalism and civil society.
As the speakers at the dialogue noted, while the transformational potentials of AI are being explored, there is a need for necessary policies and ethical frameworks to ensure accountable use for the development of society.
While generative AI is transforming content creation, content distribution, storytelling and even revenue generation for media professionals, its abuse to proliferate disinformation is also a concern that they need to check adequately.
There are other concerns, like authenticity of information, intellectual property protection, the inherent bias in generative AI that may reinforce discrimination and inequality, safety and ethics concerns and a wide knowledge gap among the people which journalists must be conscious of and do due diligence in dealing with.
We join in charging media professionals, newsroom leaders and media organisations to change their mindset and attitude towards AI and digital technology to a more positive one. While maximising the potential and transformative abilities of AI to innovate and collaborate in media work, achieve more productivity and even boost revenue, we must ensure ethical and responsible use.
The responsibility of holding society accountable for its use and engagement still lies in the hands of journalists and the power wielded by the press and civil society organisations as watchdogs should be put to good use.
Most importantly, the outcome of the dialogue reveals the need to continue the conversation around the intersection between media, digital communication and technological innovations and journalists, CSOs and other stakeholders to get the needed knowledge across the board.
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