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By Agatha Emeadi
Industry experts, including John Eromosele, Ejiro Umukoro, Lekan Otufodunrin, Bunmi Yekini and John Chuka, took part at a one-day workshop focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance for the Nigerian media sector. The event, recently held in Lagos brought together newsroom professionals and stakeholders to explore how AI could be ethically and effectively integrated into media practice.
The workshop with the theme, “AI Governance Framework Workshop for Media Sector/Newsroom,” was organised through a collaboration between Orodata Science and Pan Atlantic Newsroom Artificial Intelligence Governance Network and the AI Governance Framework initiative for newsrooms in Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Eromosele, Operations Lead, Orodata Sciences, underscored the urgency of adopting responsible AI practices. He noted that as the AI revolution accelerates, it is crucial to ensure the transformative promise of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially the commitment to ‘leave no one behind.’
He highlighted the need for Nigerian newsrooms to embrace AI tools while maintaining strict ethical standards. The first session, moderated by Bunmi Yekini, provided participants with hands-on exposure to newsroom-relevant AI tools. Some of the discussants concentrated on the importance of quality control in AI-generated content and the development of policies that safeguard the integrity of journalistic work.
Speakers emphasised that just as technologies like Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) evolved through rigorous processes before gaining public trust, AI systems must undergo clear policy-guided development. They stressed that AI should be used to enhance newsroom culture, not to mislead audiences or generate profit unethically.
Participants were encouraged to adopt practical AI solutions that suit their newsroom needs and to explore new storytelling approaches enabled by the technology.
The second session, led by John Chuka, introduced participants to Notebook Element, demonstrating how AI-powered interactive podcasts could be created to boost audience engagement and diversify newsroom offerings. “AI-powered interactive podcasts can be created to boost audience engagement and diversify newsroom offerings,” he said.
The workshop ended with a shared commitment to co-create a sustainable AI governance framework that supports innovation while upholding journalistic ethics.
