Technology and media experts are urging journalists and other media professionals to use artificial intelligence (AI) ethically and responsibly to stay relevant in the industry.
The experts gave their advice Tuesday during a one-day virtual training hosted by the Step Up for Women in Journalism Initiative (SWIJ).
The theme of this training was “Ethical and responsible use of AI in journalism: opportunities and best practices.”
Lead facilitator Cyrus Jonathan said AI should be seen as a tool to enhance journalism, rather than replace it.
Jonathan is the Digital Research and Research Manager at the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development.
He explained that AI in journalism is the application of advanced computing systems and algorithms to improve the news production process.
He urged journalists to verify and fact-check all AI-generated content before publication, stressing that human oversight remains essential to ensure reliability and accuracy.
“Although AI has challenges such as over-reliance and deniability, it also offers opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance research, and reach wider audiences,” he said.
Jonathan, who is also a media researcher, open source intelligence (OSINT) and fact-checking expert at DUBAWA, said the big challenge is not the technology itself, but the inability of users to apply it responsibly.
He identified tools such as Google Trends, the OSINT platform, and Webmii as valuable resources for journalists, noting that AI has transformed news monitoring, investigation, and content production.
“AI will not take away journalists’ jobs. Journalists who use AI effectively will take jobs from those who don’t,” Jonathan said.
He said accuracy, accountability and critical thinking must remain the cornerstones of journalism.
Justina Ashishana, journalist at Nation Newspapers, spoke on “How to leverage AI for career growth in journalism” and said AI has enabled journalists to overcome resource limitations and compete globally.
According to Ashishana, successful journalists of the future will need to understand how to ask the right questions and use the right AI tools to get faster and better results.
But she cautioned against relying on AI for things like fellowship applications, grant proposals, letters of motivation, and media pitches, describing it as a “co-pilot, not a pilot.”
Ashishana advised media professionals to combine AI-generated structures with originality, authentic voices, local context, and lived experience.
She pointed out that international editors and reviewers can easily detect common posts generated by AI.
She further stated that AI cannot replace important journalistic skills such as curiosity, ethical judgment, sound reporting, and effective writing, and that authentic reporting experience remains the profession’s greatest asset.
Earlier, SWIJ team leader Anne Godwin said the training was designed to equip journalists and communications professionals with practical knowledge of the ethical and responsible use of AI and the opportunities it offers.
Godwin said that while AI has increased the speed and efficiency of work, professionals must ensure they do not sacrifice accuracy, reliability and accountability for speed.
Team leaders cautioned against over-reliance on AI, describing the technology as a tool designed to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity.
She encouraged journalists, public relations professionals, writers and communicators to explore the economic opportunities of AI without compromising their professional ethics.
Mr. Godwin further said that SWIJ remains committed to strengthening the capacity of journalists through training and strategic partnerships.
She said that since its establishment, the organization had undertaken several capacity building initiatives with the support of partner organizations.
Thirty-two participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and other countries took part in the virtual training moderated by Aduku Elizabeth Ojonogecha.
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