Accra: Dr Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, a communication expert and Artificial Intelligence (AI) consultant, has called on journalists and media organisations to adopt AI tools to enhance efficiency and remain relevant in the evolving media landscape. Speaking at the opening of a three-day training session for reporters and editors of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, Dr Ayiku noted that avoiding AI would mean missing out on transformative opportunities in journalism.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Ayiku emphasized that AI is not a replacement for journalists but a tool to enhance their work. He explained that the real challenge lies in not knowing how to use AI effectively. He urged media professionals to embrace AI tools to improve their practice. Dr Ayiku traced the historical evolution of media from its print origins to the digital age and stressed the importance of developing ethical policies for AI use in the newsroom.
He further highlighted the necessity of establishing policies on the ethical use of AI, stating that the technology is here to stay and continues to improve. Dr Ayiku also discussed the impact of social media on news consumption patterns, urging media houses to adapt to changing audience expectations.
The concept of 'Answer Engine Optimisation' was introduced as a strategy for media organisations to optimise their digital platforms to respond swiftly to search queries. This strategy focuses on having content directly featured in search engine answers, such as AI overviews, featured snippets, and voice search results.
Participants of the session were introduced to various AI tools and applications, including Canva AI for visual content creation, techniques for writing effective prompts, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot for editing, and Google Notebook LM for generating podcasts.
Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, the General Manager of GNA, stated that the training was aimed at enhancing staff skills and positioning the Agency as a leading brand in Ghana's media space and beyond. He encouraged journalists to apply the knowledge acquired as managers continued to support professional development initiatives.
