Media and Artificial Intelligence
Business
By
Brian Otieno
| Mar 03, 2024
The importance of digital literacy in journalism featured heavily during the launch of the Emirates News Agency (WAM) White Paper on the annual Global Media Congress (GMC) at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday.
Panellists at the exclusive event also stressed the need for training in Artificial Intelligence tools in keeping with changing trends in the media and the critical role of decisive leadership in the industry.
The panel featured the Standard Group's Editor-in-Chief Ochieng' Rapuro, WAM Director-General Mohamed Jalal Alrayssi, Kanika Saigal, business editor at the Africa Report and Joseph Odindo, a senior lecturer at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communication, who formerly worked at the Standard.
Mr Rapuro argued that AI training was critical in journalism, explaining that AI tools must be custom-made for respective audiences.
"Most AI tools available are trained with material outside Africa and outside Kenya. We must highlight the need to localise AI for our domestic audiences," he said.
READ MORE
Kisumu, Nairobi among worst users of development funds
Why KQ has canceled its Cape Town return flight
Curriculum delivery is a marathon, not a sprint
Recipe for rigging: Battle looms over plan to scrap IEBC's livestreaming of election results
Why Ruto rejected Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Kenya shines at Zone Individual Chess Championship in Ethiopia
Police-linked brutality victims in court, claim opaque compensation process
Safe but scared...: Tales of Mathare floods survivors
Mr Alrayssi shared the same sentiments, calling for enhanced cooperation in incorporating new technologies across newsrooms.
"We have to work together internationally to enact laws and regulations to protect our copyrights as journalists," said Alrayssi.
On his part, Mr Odindo emphasised the need for digital literacy among journalists, saying it is important that journalism students are trained in technology.
"There is a need for university curricula review, to bring it up to date with new technologies," he stated.
The White Paper, themed 'Decisive Leadership in an Increasingly Complex Media Landscape' highlights pressing needs facing the global media, focusing on themes such as changing audience behaviour, the role of technology, sports and environmental journalism, among others across eight chapters.
"The media industry is undergoing rapid change - a change which demands decisive leadership. In this White Paper, we explore those decisions that media leaders need to make - like whether it be to incorporate AI into their operations or not - decisions which inevitably may have profound consequences," added Alrayssi, stressing the need to craft a sustainable media industry of the future.
The publication of the White Paper follows last November's GMC held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The three-day event brought together nearly 24,000 experts from the media industry gathered to address the most pressing issues facing the global media industry.
The Standard Group represented Kenya at the event. On Friday, WAM executives and representatives, led by its DG Alrayssi, visited the Standard Group's headquarters along Mombasa Road, a key step in cementing their newly-found strategic partnership.
Northern Corridor blueprint secures green funding
Officials say the funding is expected to unlock further investments needed to modernise freight transport across the region.Manufacturers turn to direct sales as online shopping reshapes electronics trade
Electronics market is moving further online as manufacturers and retailers expand digital sales channels, giving consumers more ways to research, compare and purchase products.Historic El Nino threat raises fresh risks for Kenya's economy and food security
Kenya is staring down the barrel of its most powerful El Nino in more than four decades, with forecasters and economists warning of a potential catastropheStanbic Bank records marginal jump in half-year profit to Sh6.6b
Stanbic Holdings posted a marginal rise in half-year profit to Sh6.61 billion but cut its interim dividend by more than half despite stronger asset quality.Surge in Tanzania, Uganda units push EABL net profit to record Sh18.2 billion
Regional brewer East African Breweries Ltd (EABL) has posted a record net profit of Sh18.2 billion for the year ended June 2026.MOST READ
- Manufacturers turn to direct sales as online shopping reshapes electronics trade
ENTERPRISE
By David Njaaga
- Historic El Nino threat raises fresh risks for Kenya's economy and food security
BUSINESS
By Brian Ngugi
- Stanbic Bank records marginal jump in half-year profit to Sh6.6b
BUSINESS
By Brian Ngugi