Journalists navigate the AI landscape: filled with opportunities, challenges

The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by journalists has been met with both fear and keen anticipation.

This comes as civil society warns journalists on how they should use AI as a means to regain public trust.

Speaking at the African Investigative Journalism Conference in Johannesburg yesterday, Media Development Investment Fund programme director Deji Adekunle highlighted the need for journalists to make use of this opportunity.

“We have a crisis in the media and we do not want to lose any more trust,” he said.

According to a study done by the Namibia Media Trust (NMT), 70% of journalists in Namibia use AI.

Adekunle said this fact proved that the use of AI it is not a “thing of the future” and that it is already here.

He encouraged the use of AI, saying that it should not change the basic principles around journalism.

“We have to start with an oversights. What I’ve seen from a number of organisations is to introduce AI policy. It should address the tools allowed, the intellectual property rules for this tool, as well as the transparency factor,” Adekunle said.

He further highlighted the importance of newsroom staff understanding and promoting the use of AI.

“We need an AI champion that is quite competent and is driving the adoption of AI in the organisation. We also need to listen to staff members and the team,” he said.

EMBRACING AI

Speaking at the same platform, NMT executive director Zoè Titus echoed the need to start embracing AI.
She did, however, warn against the misunderstanding of AI.

Titus emphasised the importance of scrutinising the introduction of AI in newsrooms, saying it is vital to examine the intention of those who introduce it and why.

“Journalists and newsrooms are integrating AI without fully understanding the implications […] We have to consider who is introducing this into the newsroom ecosystem and where does that person position journalists in the ecosystem. Is it a momentary issue or is it done with intention?” she added.

Titus urged journalists and media houses to have a deeper appreciation of the moment the industry is having.

“The media is facing an existential crisis. Market failure and AI have been tremendous disruptors in the industry, but it has so much potential,” she added.