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A year ago, on November 15, 2023, I was invited by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to discuss “Nigerian Media, Sustainability, and Big Tech’s Existential Threat.” This year, I received another invitation, though I wonder if it may be my last. Next time, perhaps an AI, maybe Anaba, will be in my place. With rapid advancements in technology, it feels as if there’s nothing AI can’t do.
At its essence, generative AI describes systems that can tackle complex tasks that once only humans could perform. Journalism, previously thought to be uniquely human with its fast-paced storytelling and gatekeeping role, now finds itself adapting.
A Cause for Concern?
The rise of AI has created a wave of anxiety among journalists and other professionals, especially those wary of tech. For instance, while redecorating my apartment, I found two interior designers who required a steep inspection deposit. Instead, I turned to ChatGPT, inputting my apartment details. Within minutes, it generated design suggestions, complete with a floor plan and optional elements. Tools like Midjourney offer even more stunning possibilities.
The 2024 Digital News Project report, “Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions,” reveals that over 300 digital media leaders from 50+ countries are concerned about AI-driven news automation, costs, and integrating immersive tech, like AR and wearable devices.
AI’s Role in Storytelling: A Global Glimpse
Two recent cases illustrate AI’s expanding role in journalism. Mexico’s Grupo Formula launched three AI-driven avatars—NAT, SOFI, and MAX—to create content on entertainment, sports, and politics, appealing to younger audiences who might otherwise avoid traditional news. In Poland, Radio Krakow’s OFF Radio introduced AI characters as journalists, marking the country’s first experiment with AI-led journalism.
Amid debates on automation’s effect on jobs, Yuval Harari stated in 21 Lessons for the 21st Century that we should prioritize people over jobs, embracing automation for its broader potential. I agree.
Opportunities for Journalists
AI offers numerous opportunities for enhancing journalism:
- Efficiency in Content Creation: AI can streamline production, allowing journalists to focus on creative storytelling over repetitive tasks.
- Personalized Content: AI enables tailored narratives for specific audiences by analyzing user preferences and behaviors.
- Interactive Storytelling: Games and multimedia stories that adapt to user choices can draw in those less inclined toward traditional formats.
- New Frontiers: AI’s power to organize vast data sets, as seen with the Panama Papers investigation, opens possibilities that once seemed far-fetched.
According to Zach Seward’s article “AI News That’s Fit to Print,” AI tools are valuable for summarizing chaotic data but must always be used with human oversight to avoid pitfalls.
Challenges and Pitfalls
AI in journalism raises ethical questions. The risk of AI-generated misinformation, privacy issues, and biases are some of the main concerns. Previous cases, like Cambridge Analytica and COVID-19 misinformation, highlight the stakes. Moreover, AI’s impact on quality, originality, and adaptability across different audiences and genres is a challenge.
The tech industry has seen both positive and negative examples. For instance, CNET faced backlash for publishing AI-generated financial articles that contained significant inaccuracies. Similarly, Sports Illustrated’s publication, The Street, used AI-generated content with fake author identities, which drew criticism.
On the other hand, AI has also supported investigative efforts, such as Buzzfeed and The Wall Street Journal using machine learning to spot critical trends in massive data caches, such as with the Mauritius Leaks and a report on dangerous lead cables in New Jersey.
AI and Nigerian Journalism
In a paper co-authored with Professor Farooq Kperogi, “Light in a Digital Blackhole,” we explored AI’s impact on Nigerian journalism. The study noted a shift in media practices driven by social media and citizen journalism, with newsrooms using software like Echobox and Hootsuite for audience engagement. Organizations like Yiaga Africa even employ AI tools for election monitoring.
While challenges with infrastructure and cost remain, there’s also an attitudinal divide between younger and older journalists regarding AI adoption, though newsrooms are becoming more diverse in age and background.
Job Losses?
Our study found no direct link between AI adoption and job losses among Nigerian journalists, though changing demographics and economic pressures are affecting readership and revenues. Perhaps the fear of job losses could inspire greater introspection and adaptation in the industry, encouraging journalists to embrace new technologies for storytelling.
In a future where the role of journalists is uncertain, it’s reassuring to know we’ll have AI by our side—even if a chatbot eventually takes over these presentations.
