In a bid to enhance media practice in the digital age, a three-day training workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) that attracted 22 journalists from both the print and broadcast media concluded with a resounding call to embrace the technology.
Celebrated Kenyan media personality and trainer Fred Afune who was chief trainer emphasized the importance of Artificial Intelligence in modern journalism, challenging participants to harness its potential.
In a world where information is at our fingertips, Fred Afune, flanked by his co-trainer Vincent Kimany urged the journalists to leverage these tools ethically and effectively.
“…I encourage each of you to embrace these new technologies, push the boundaries of creativity, and to lead Uganda’s media landscape into the future…” he appealed.
Afune with undisputable experience in the media industry told the participants that AI is no longer a luxury, but a necessary tool for journalists in Uganda, East Africa and Africa as a whole to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
He also cautioned the journalists against laxity simply because AI seems to be generating every information they need but to maintain the passion, insights, creativity and intuition for effective and quality results.
Afune likened AI and NI to two characters Batman and Robin depicted in the 1997 classic American film (Batman & Robin) and stressed to the journalists to religiously combine the power of AI with Natural Intelligence which have become an unstoppable force.
Having spent more than two weeks in Kampala, Afune could not hide his love for one of Uganda’s traditional dishes; matooke (massed banana) and groundnut stew, Afune reminded the journalists are the only people who can tell the rest of the world the beauty, the warmth, sunshine, fertile soils and rich natural fruits among others found in Uganda and not AI.
“…that’s where you come in, you are the storytellers, the innovators, the creators, the ones who will ensure that AI enhances our work without losing the essence of what makes it special…”,he charged.
Organized by Voice of America (VOA) in partnership with the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the workshop held at Mosa Court Hotel & Apartments in Uganda’s capital, Kampala aimed to equip journalists with the skills to leverage AI in their work.
As technology continues to advance, the training workshop is a timely initiative, as Uganda’s media landscape continues to evolve and with AI poised to revolutionize the industry, the journalists are now better equipped to lead the charge.
Participants learned about AI powered research tools, data analysis and content creation, among other topics.
Other topics covered include copy editing/rewriting, research and analysis, generating social media content, image and video generation and data visualization.
The journalists were also challenged to develop guidelines and policies on the ethical use of AI which can be a double edged sword once some people choose to apply them for malicious purposes.
As Uganda approaches another cycle of general elections in 2026, participants expressed fears that cases of fake AI generated images, videos and statements including fake audios will be a big confusing factor to the masses.
Vincent Kimani, also a co facilitator from Kenya cited India’s recent general elections where many dead politicians ‘hit the campaign trails canvassing votes for specific candidates’, courtesy of what he called deepfake, which is a relatively benign nefarious use of AI to deceive and trick people.
A clear example which went viral involved an iconic figure(cinema and politics) M Karunanidhi who died in 2018 but through AI he was made to appear before a live audience on a large projected screen to congratulate his 82 year old friend and fellow politician TR Baalu on the launch of his autobiographical book.
According to records,this was the third time then,in six months, that the iconic leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK)party was resurrected using AI for such public events.
Such have continued to raise ethical issues and are likely to be another painful matter that Uganda and other countries around the world including the US whose elections are around the corner to grapple with.
Long-serving VOA Africa representative Peter Byengoma pledged to organize more training opportunities for journalists from partner media houses but urged them to translate the skills and knowledge acquired into practical use.
Journalists have asked for follow up training on advanced AI and other areas like climate change,digital security and human rights ,governance and democracy.
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