The growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism is undeniable, but how it is integrated will shape the future of African media. This was the central discussion at a high-level roundtable held today at Nairobi Hotel, organized by Baraza Media Lab in partnership with the Africa Media Festival.
Themed “Innovation: AI for Sustainable Media Futures,” the event brought together journalists, AI experts, and media regulators to examine AI’s role in journalism. The discussion focused on AI’s ability to enhance newsroom efficiency, combat misinformation, and personalize content while ensuring ethical standards are upheld.
Despite AI’s increasing adoption in global media, its uptake in Africa remains slow due to limited technological access, inadequate training, and weak regulations. However, some media houses have begun integrating AI for newsroom automation, audience analytics, and fact-checking.
Industry leaders at the roundtable stressed that AI should complement, not replace, human journalists. Maurice Otieno, Executive Director of Baraza Media Lab, cautioned against over-reliance on AI. “AI is too perfect, but journalism is about human stories. We must strike a balance between efficiency and editorial integrity,” he said.
Mukui Mbindyo, Head of Partnerships at Africa Digital Media Group, highlighted the need for AI training in African media. “Africa lags in AI adoption, making us consumers rather than creators. We must invest in skills development to remain competitive,” she emphasized.
Karanja Jackson, Regional Coordinator at the Media Council of Kenya, underscored AI’s potential but called for responsible usage. “AI won’t replace journalists, but those who understand AI will replace those who don’t. We are working on guidelines to ensure accuracy and accountability in AI-generated content,” he stated.
Dr. Keziah Wangui Githinji, a lecturer at USIU, stressed that journalism education must evolve to align with AI advancements. “We need to teach journalists how to work with AI, not against it,” she noted.
As Africa moves toward AI integration, experts at the forum called for ethical guidelines, digital literacy programs, and industry collaboration to ensure AI strengthens, rather than undermines, journalism.
The discussion also set the stage for deeper industry engagement ahead of the upcoming Africa Media Festival, scheduled for February 26–27 at the National Museums of Kenya.
