The Chief Executive of Edel Technology Consult, Ethel Cofie has reiterated that artificial intelligence will lead to job losses including journalists.
Speaking on the topic of ‘’AI and future journalism’’ at the 75th GJA commemorative lecture in Accra, Madam Cofie noted that junior journalists and editors in various newsrooms will be seriously affected by the technology as newsrooms move to adopt AI to perform activities previously done by humans.
Madam Cofie indicated that the potential job losses associated with AI will not be the first time technology will cause such a stir in the job market, adding that, in as much as AI poses a threat, it has a potential if carefully used due to its efficacy. She suggested how best newsrooms can use AI to avoid misinformation, disinformation and the spread of fake news while ensuring that it maintains trust between the public and the media.
Madam Ethel Cofie advised media houses to incorporate AI into their news production and advocate best practices for it.
”You have to conduct regular audits when you have an AI system. If you are going to start, start with a pilot project. Figure out which workflow within your newsroom that AI can help. Text that out, evaluate it, and see if it works for you then pick up the next one. So it’s intentional and careful. Regular monitoring is also going to be a thing you will do. Be flexible and adapt to changes”, she said.
