EU, DICAN collaborate to train Journalist on AI, challenges and opportunities of social media
Oru Leonard
The European Union (EU), Delegation to Nigeria, on Wednesday collaborated with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN), to train Journalist on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is expected to equip journalists with the skills to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and social media.
Speaking in her opening remarks, the Charge d ’Affairs, EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ms Agnieszka de Torres Oliveira noted the training is in a bid to leverage on available technological tools to enhance the capacity of journalists.
She said the training is aimed to equip journalists with the skills to harness the potential of new media in their daily duties.
She further stressed the importance of integrating new media into traditional journalism practices, citing the increasing dominance of AI and social media in the information space.
Oliveira pointed out that fact-checking in information management will ensure accurate information in the face of growing trend of manipulation and misinformation on social media.
“We are pleased to welcome you to this training, which will provide you with hands-on skills to maximize the immense potentials of new media,” said Ms. Agnieszka de Torres Oliveira, Charge d’Affairs, EU Delegation to Nigeria, in her opening remarks.
“Journalists cannot afford to ignore the possibilities that these new media offer, as well as the threats they pose if not properly managed and harnessed,” she noted.
“The training is part of the EU’s efforts to promote democracy and human rights, particularly freedom of expression.
“The media is an enabler of free and open debates, and social media has further expanded the frontiers of free speech,” Oliveira said.
“We believe that training journalists to be more effective in their work will strengthen democracy and make society better.”
The EU has recently adopted the AI Act, a comprehensive legal framework for AI that provides for transparency, human oversight, and accountability.
“Understanding how these new media work will be the first step in stemming these harmful effects and safeguarding the integrity of the information environment,” she said.
Admist showing gratitude to the EU by participants, the Chairman of DICAN, Mr Fred Idehai who applauded the EU noted that the content of the training can not absorbed in a day. He then appealed for a more elaborate and detailed workshop in order to achieve the objectives.
Presentation on AI was made by a renouned ICT consultant Mr Felix Nwoche.
