ADOPTING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO JOURNALISTIC PRACTICES IN NIGERIA

CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown worldwide and is applied in different sectors to quicken production processes, increase productivity, ensure accuracy and ease in ways businesses are run. Journalism has benefited from AI as robots engage in journalistic processes, and produce results quickly in broadcast and print media types. Despite its popularity, application of AI to journalistic practice in Nigeria is scant as a consequence of various factors. This study is conceptual in nature and used qualitative methods to seek results. Expert views and opinions were used to provide information required for the study. It sought to find out challenges which can hinder successful application of AI to journalism practice in Nigeria. Media richness and technological determinism theories underpinned the study as they dealt with influence of communication technologies on production and impact on societies. AI is pertinent to journalism in order for newsrooms to remain competitive and facilitate job opportunities. Despite its advantages, AI poses different kinds of challenges which affect the newsroom. While some of these may be technical, others are structural and deal with governance. Further, there are professional and fundamental issues which include basic knowledge and practice which hinder growth and spread of application of AI to journalism in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, recommendations were made which include the fact that there is need for a re-orientation of perceptions on the importance of AI by Governments and journalists themselves to ensure its use to engender productivity in the sector.