Artificial Intelligence to enhance journalism practise, not replace journalists —study

A new study examining the use and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies among journalists reveals that AI should be embraced as a partner, not a competitor, in the newsroom.

“AI is not here to replace journalists,” said Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, a journalist and academic who conducted the research as part of his master’s thesis.

“It is here to empower them to work smarter and serve audiences better,” he noted.

The study, carried out among members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Edo State, found that while awareness of AI technologies is high, actual adoption remains low due to skills gaps, resistance to change, and high implementation costs.

According to the report, more than 90 percent of respondents (journalists) said AI could enhance news accuracy, speed, and audience engagement. However, only a small fraction have fully integrated AI-powered tools into their daily workflows.

The study identified several barriers to AI adoption, including insufficient technical knowledge among journalists, organizational resistance to new technologies, and limited financial resources to acquire and maintain AI-powered tools.

It further noted that while some respondents expressed doubts about the trustworthiness of AI-generated content, others viewed it as an important tool for improving storytelling and newsroom efficiency.

Key findings from the research work include, “While journalists in Edo State were generally aware of AI technologies, the overall adoption and integration of these tools within their daily journalism practice was still relatively low.

“Journalists recognized the potential benefits of AI, such as improved efficiency in data analysis, automated content generation, and enhanced story personalization for readers. However, the extent to which these benefits were being realized was limited.

“The Edo State chapter of the NUJ had not yet developed comprehensive strategies or policies to guide the integration of AI technologies within the journalism profession. This lack of organizational preparedness was seen as a significant barrier to the effective deployment of AI tools.”

The study identified several key challenges hindering the wider adoption of AI in journalism, including a lack of necessary skills and technical expertise among journalists, concerns about job security, and the high costs associated with implementing and maintaining AI systems.

The report recommends targeted AI training for journalists, policy incentives for responsible AI use, and innovative financing models to make the technology more accessible to newsrooms.

According to the research, journalists should actively pursue opportunities for upskilling to enhance their adoption of AI technologies, participating in targeted training programs and collaborating with technology experts.

“This will empower them to integrate AI tools into their workflows, improving the quality and efficiency of their reporting. Additionally, technology companies and developers can support this effort by creating user-friendly AI applications tailored to the specific needs of journalists.”

It further recommended, “The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) should take the lead in establishing a clear roadmap for the responsible integration of AI in journalism. This can be achieved by organizing workshops, facilitating knowledge-sharing sessions, and advocating for resources that empower members to adopt AI-driven solutions. Such initiatives will enhance the union’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by its members and promote a culture of continuous learning.

“Media organizations should explore innovative financing mechanisms and partnership models to overcome the high implementation costs associated with AI systems. This may include seeking grants, collaborating with technology providers, or pooling resources within the local media ecosystem. By implementing these strategies, organizations can make AI adoption more feasible, ultimately enhancing their news production processes and audience engagement.

“Policymakers in Edo State are encouraged to develop and implement policies that incentivize the adoption of AI technologies in journalism. This includes providing funding for relevant skills development programs and creating a regulatory environment that supports responsible AI use.

“Furthermore, ethical and legal experts should contribute to establishing guidelines that address data privacy, bias, and transparency, ensuring that AI integration aligns with ethical standards in journalism.”

Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka Celestine is a journalist, media strategist, and researcher with over a decade of experience in journalism, advertising, media crisis management, and public relations.

He served as a Media Aide to former Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. In the role, he was instrumental in the design and implementation of the series of public communications campaigns that led to the successes of the government across various sectors including education, where he worked on the World Bank-funded EdoBEST programme to strengthen the state’s adoption of digital technologies, and in the civil service, where workers were bequeathed with digital skills, transforming the State as one of Nigeria’s most digitally advanced states in governance, among others.

Worthy of note was his role in the adept communication campaign during the COVID-19 outbreak in the State, where played a vital role in containing the pandemic through nuanced communication strategies, working closely with the then Commissioner for Health, Prof Obehi Akoria in developing an effective messaging that reached rural communities, significantly contributing to the state’s pandemic response.

Nwachukwu began his journalism career at The Guardian Newspaper, where he gained valuable experience across various beats, including politics, business, news, and metro reporting. He has worked as a media, PR, and advertising adviser to various corporates and organizations.

He is currently a Master’s student in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State and has interest in researches in the areas of Development Journalism and Digital Media and Health Communication.