At a recent “AI Advocacy and Awareness” event hosted by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), journalists were reassured that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a threat to their jobs, but a valuable tool to enhance their work.
Discussing with journalists, Saun Ndlovu, Co-founder of the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), said, “AI is here to help improve and make journalistic work easier. Don’t be scared, embrace it.”
Addressing the common fear that AI could replace journalists, Ndlovu added, “AI can assist in research, data analysis, and content generation, freeing up journalists to focus on in-depth reporting and investigative journalism.”
Ndlovu also highlighted AI’s benefits in maintaining objective writing, citing its ability to analyze large datasets and identify patterns.
“AI can help journalists identify biases in their reporting and provide more balanced coverage,” he said.
However, journalists expressed concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to spread misinformation.
Helen Sithole, MISA Programs Officer, facilitated an interactive discussion on ethical concerns, emphasizing the importance of AI fact-checking and verification.
“Journalists must adopt AI fact-checking measures to combat misinformation and disinformation,” Sithole urged. “We need to ensure that AI-generated content is accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.”
“African newsrooms must invest in AI training and infrastructure to remain competitive,” Ndlovu also stressed. “We need to develop clear policies and frameworks for AI use and ensure data security.”
By embracing AI, journalists can revolutionize newsrooms, improving the quality and accuracy of reporting, Ndlovu stated. “AI is not a replacement, but a partner in journalistic excellence,” Ndlovu further noted.
