IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ON JOURNALISM PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research examines the ways artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming journalism in Nigeria, exploring its 
capacity to fundamentally change how news is gathered, processed, and shared. This study reveals that Nigerian 
newsrooms are swiftly adopting AI tools to automate tasks like transcribing interviews, personalize content for 
individual readers, monitor social media for breaking news, and fact-check information. This adoption holds the 
promise of increased efficiency and productivity, greater audience engagement, and reduced operational costs. 
However, this study also emphasizes the need to address challenges such as the potential displacement of human 
journalists, the risk of algorithmic bias, ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content, and the limitations posed 
by Nigeria's technological infrastructure. Through an analysis of real-world examples, this study highlights both the 
successes and setbacks of AI integration in Nigerian media. This includes examining the introduction of "Leo," 
Africa's first AI chatbot launched by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to provide personalized financial advice, as 
well as a case study of an AI-powered tool designed to interpret medical images. Furthermore, this research explores 
emerging AI technologies with the potential to revolutionize investigative journalism by analyzing vast datasets, 
personalize news experiences for individual users, and create immersive storytelling formats. This study 
acknowledges the broader implications of AI for Nigeria's media, including its potential to reshape how news is 
consumed, influence media ownership and control, and redefine the role of journalists in society. It underscores the 
importance of media organizations proactively developing AI literacy programs, collaborating with AI developers to 
create tools tailored to their needs, establishing ethical guidelines for AI use, addressing infrastructure limitations, 
and fostering a culture of innovation. Journalists are encouraged to adapt by acquiring new skills, upholding 
journalistic ethics in the AI era, collaborating with AI developers, and critically evaluating AI-generated content. 
Finally, this study provides detailed recommendations for policymakers to promote AI literacy among the public, 
invest in crucial infrastructure, develop regulatory frameworks for AI in media, and support research and 
development in this field.