Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, a renowned communication expert and executive Board member of the International Press Institute (IPI), Vienna, Austria, has urged media practitioners to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools responsibly and consciously in the discharge of their duties.
Adedoyin made the call on Monday while speaking at a two-day media workshop themed “Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, organised by the University of Ilorin Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held at the University Auditorium Basement.
He described AI as an additional tool for journalism practice, which has come to stay, stressing that it involves using machines to perform tasks that human beings can do.
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According to him, journalists must key into this development by applying AI to fact-checking, data analysis, report writing, perfect stories and even generating financial statements.
Adedoyin evaluated the intersection of journalism, communication, and technology, highlighting the benefits of AI to include increased efficiency, improved accuracy, and enhanced storytelling techniques.
However, he cautioned against the potential downsides of AI, which include job displacement, ethical lapses, bias, and the risk of producing content that may lack credibility and originality.
He warned journalists not to over-rely on AI, noting that the absence of comprehensive regulation in its use remains a major concern.
He said: “The future of AI in journalism lies in advancing reportage through collaboration, innovation, ethics, and credibility,” adding that while AI offers opportunities, it also poses challenges that require serious consideration before being fully adopted for news production.
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Emphasising self-discipline, Adedoyin posits that, “AI should only guide journalists; it must not dominate their minds or control them. There should be self-regulation, proactiveness, and proper information gathering.”
Declaring the workshop open, Wahab Olusupo Egbewole (SAN), Professor and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, represented by Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), said the theme was timely, as AI continues to shape every aspect of human life, including journalism.
He urged journalists to embrace AI in their practice in order to remain informed, up-to-date, and professionally relevant.
