Twenty-five female journalists, united under the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Lagos, underwent training courtesy of Google Nigeria on the latest applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The workshop titled “Beyond Buzzwords: Discover AI with Google” assembled participants from various media platforms, including print, radio, television, and new media, to equip them with the skills to leverage AI tools for enhanced efficiency in their journalistic endeavors.
Conducted virtually from Johannesburg, Claudine Beaumont, Head of Gemini Communications at Google, guided the participants through practical sessions, shedding light on Google’s AI-first approach and facilitating hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools. Beaumont explained Google’s ongoing commitment to AI research spanning over a decade and illustrated how AI supports everyday tools like Google Search and Google Maps. She exemplifies initiatives such as Project Greenlight as a testament to AI’s potential in addressing global challenges like climate change.
In tandem with the virtual sessions, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Head of Communications at Google West Africa, spearheaded physical demonstrations of various Google AI tools. Emphasizing AI’s pivotal role in reshaping industries and global dynamics, Kola-Ogunlade stressed the importance of equipping media professionals with AI competencies to enhance storytelling and communication.
“If there is any technology that people in the press and people who are journalists must know, it is introducing them to the new forms of using AI to do their work and to tell better stories,” Kola-Ogunlade asserted, underscoring the indispensable role of media personnel in societal discourse.
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Acknowledging Africa’s significance in Google’s outreach, Kola-Ogunlade highlighted the continent’s proactive engagement with AI initiatives, with approximately 200 journalists from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa participating in the inaugural AI training. He emphasized Google’s commitment to empowering journalists with transformative AI tools to augment their storytelling capabilities.
Addressing concerns surrounding AI’s potential to displace jobs, Kola-Ogunlade reassured participants of the imperative to enhance their skill sets to remain competitive in an evolving technological landscape. NAWOJ Vice Chairperson, Lagos chapter, Bunmi Yekini, lauded the timely intervention of the Google-led training, affirming its role in fostering skill development and innovation among members.
Reflecting on the training’s impact, one participant, Julie Ekong, Deputy Director of New Media at FRCN, expressed optimism about leveraging AI trends to streamline work processes and enhance productivity. “I think it is going to help on the job by making the work faster,” Ekong remarked, underscoring the practical benefits of AI integration in journalistic practice.