Google Nigeria is set to train journalists in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and has kicked off with 25 females from the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), to update them on the latest trends.
Naijaonpoint learns that this is the first of such training being conducted across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa which highlights the importance Google places on Africa.
The training emphasized the importance of introducing journalists to the latest technologies, particularly AI, to enhance their reporting and storytelling capabilities, explaining the available AI tools and how they can be utilized more efficiently in communication.
Claudine Beaumont from Johannesburg led the virtual training session guiding the journalists who were participants from different media outlets, through practical exercises.
The in-person segment, covering various Google AI tools, was managed by Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Head of Communications for West Africa.
Kola-Ogunlade emphasized that AI is increasingly becoming central, revolutionizing how people work, live, communicate, and operate within the tech industry and beyond.
He pointed out that media professionals, serving as the conscience of society and the nation, play a crucial role in educating the public and reporting on current events.
He explained that the training explored the realms of AI and Google, and how journalists could leverage these tools to enhance their work’s efficiency and speed while steering clear of technological pitfalls.
He mentioned that the training was part of Google’s initiative to keep African media professionals updated with contemporary technology. He noted that approximately 200 journalists from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa have participated in this inaugural AI training.
Alhaja Bunmi Yekini, NAWOJ Vice Chairperson, Lagos chapter, said:
One of the participants said the training was an opportunity to catch up with AI trends and having a deeper understanding of it which will help make her job faster.