Nairobi: Chen Yingying, an associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Renmin University of China, has encouraged African media practitioners to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting its positive impact and challenges.
Chen advised during a virtual presentation at a training workshop organised in Nairobi by the Xinhua News Agency Africa Regional Bureau, with the theme, “The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Its Impact on Journalism”.
He noted that while AI will not replace human journalists, the technology is primarily assistive and can be used to boost efficiency in news gathering, packaging, and dissemination.
According to him, AI tools can be helpful in transcribing, analysing data, and developing graphics.
He, however, advised individual journalists to enhance their awareness of the risks posed by the technology, such as the spread of misinformation.
Rosalia Omungo, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Editors’ Guild, a professional association for senior editors in the East African country, stated that the training seminar offered valuable insights into AI and its potential to transform the media industry in Africa.
“I think AI uptake has begun. That is where Kenyan journalism should go because AI is coming to provide efficiency, to augment systems that are in place, the news processes, news-gathering, and dissemination,” Omungo said.
She added that China provides a template through which African newsrooms could learn from and accelerate the adoption of AI, stressing that continuous training of journalists will help dispel myths surrounding the technology.
Patrick Vidija, a digital editor at Kenya’s Standard Media Group, hailed the training seminar as highly impactful in terms of gaining a better understanding of AI and its application in news reporting.
“On the digital front, we interact a lot with AI. This training is timely since we can open our perspective on how to apply and use AI,” Vidija added.
Nearly 100 participants, including editors and news reporters from more than 10 media outlets in Kenya and across Africa, attended the training, which was conducted in a hybrid format.
The participants were also taken through the journey of Xinhua News Agency’s adoption of AI throughout its new production pipeline, from news gathering to research, editing, and dissemination.