Google Executive wants African newsrooms to embrace disruptive technology

African newsrooms have been advised to fully embrace new disruptive technology in order to stay relevant and competitive on a global level.

Richard Gingras, Vice-President of News at Google, stated this at the first West Africa Journalism Innovation Conference (WAJIC) 2023 held in Abuja.

Gingras said with the media undergoing massive transformation, African journalists must adopt technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Blockchain because of their ability to automate media content, streamline workflows and enhancement of storytelling.

“Technology brings possibilities, but it does not necessarily have values. That’s where the human component comes in,” he said.

“I think there are immense benefits with Artificial Intelligence (A.I), there’s also room for potential harm. However, these new technologies afford tremendous promise to news organizations, both to analyze data for where the story might be and also to put stories together.”

#WAJIC2023 (25-26 July) #Journalism #AccountabilityJournalism
Richard Gingras, Global Vice President (News) at Google:
"How does one manage press freedom in a digital world"? "How do we execute our work as journalists"?
"Does our audience understand the… pic.twitter.com/IwfXEpJ0kr

— Voice of Nigeria (@voiceofnigeria) July 25, 2023

Gringas said A.I and Machine Learning were particularly important to news organizations that serve local communities to help broaden their coverage on matters that were not really serious news but matter to the local community.

“For example, let’s look at a local sports story like soccer (football). Can it write a story based simply on statistics that it was fed? Now as Journalists work to evolve those tools, they just have to continue to innovate. We are still in the very early stage of A.I and newsroom operations, no doubt it will bring much more opportunities,” he said.

The WAJIC 2023 had as its theme: Accountability Journalism – Nurturing Innovation for a Sustainable Development.

Happening now: #WAJIC2023 #JournalismAccountability #Journalism
The second Panel Session stressed the need for professionalism on the job.
"An unprofessional journalist won't turn away from 'brown envelope'.
We need to take Media Ethics seriously." pic.twitter.com/GDfHm4Eakr

— Voice of Nigeria (@voiceofnigeria) July 25, 2023

brought together journalists, media professionals, the academic community, policymakers, government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders across West Africa to discuss the state of accountability journalism in West Africa and how innovation is impacting its evolution, values and principles.

Happening now: #WAJIC2023 (25-26 July) #Journalism #AccountabilityJournalism
The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Juan Ignacio Sell, at the #WAJIC2023. pic.twitter.com/fmTxir4bIp

— Voice of Nigeria (@voiceofnigeria) July 25, 2023

Other highpoints included workshops, expert panels, and exploring media innovations and technological tools that could fortify journalism practice in the African region.

The conference is expected to foster networking opportunities and collaboration that can improve accountability journalism in ways that meet the yearnings of democracy and development in the interest of Africa.

#Google #A.I #WAJIC23