Senator Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu has cautioned journalists against over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their work, warning that it could threaten the profession. He emphasized that AI should complement human efforts, not replace them.
The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu, made this known while speaking at the Opening Ceremony and Symposium of the 2025 Ogun Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held on Monday at the Aremo Olusegun Osoba Hall, Iwe-Irohin, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Senator Salisu, while speaking on the theme, "The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting", highlighted the relationship between journalism and technology stating that technology is necessary to compliment human efforts, but not to take over their efforts on whatever they are doing.
He, added that the use of technology is also making things easy and possible to be done.
"There are three relationship between journalism and technology, which are; speedy delivery of news items, cost efficiency and artificial intelligence (AI).
"The use of AI in our world today has make things more easy and possible to be done, as there are many benefits of using AI today. However, one of the demerits of AI is being biased, making use of the device in our business, profession, we should always note that it is a machine that make use of bias", He said.
Senator Salisu, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Cybercrimes, emphasized that use of AI does not go with emotions, rather it will make use of the information as it is.
"Also, there will always be lack of ethical use, transparency in the use of AI and it will be known that it is not written by a journalist, but it is AI-generated article.
"The issue of accountability is also something we should know, as making use of AI-generated article and when it is known, will the AI machine or the Human writer or AI developer be sued for such report?", He asked.
The senator urged journalists to be mindful of AI's limitations and potential pitfalls, ensuring that the profession continues to prioritize human insight and accountability. Other dignitaries at the event echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of promoting professionalism and ethics in the media profession .
However, Senator Salisu made it known to journalists that their profession is under threat, if the use of AI is not reduced, while adding that the part of challenges to be faced is use of data privacy, whereby use of ones data without permission of the owner is getting more pronounced.
Declaring the event open, the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, stated that the press week should not be an annual ritual but an avenue for the union to always reflect on their works, areas of strength, achievements and not afford to fail.
Prince Abiodun, represented by the Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, also added that the veterans are still agile in the professional and they need to be celebrated and appreciated.
Mr. Onasanya, who is also the keynote speaker, in his address, made it known that it is essential to promote professionalism, ethics in the media profession, as it makes it move forward, and it enable us to fulfill our roles as the conscience of the society.
On his remarks on the use of AI, Mr. Onasanya, said that journalists are supposed to make use of the device and not it making use of the members of the pen profession.
"AI is good, but it has its own bit force, as our Newsrooms now has low use of AI policies and this is very critical and as a matter of fact, colleagues in the realm need to raise this issue", He stressed.
Dignitaries at the event in their separate goodwill messages, urged the State Council Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju to engage more in the training of journalists and making use of veterans in the media field, as this would make the media profession more develop.
Donations were also made to the NUJ Press Week Organizing Committee, by the former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu, Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, Victory Life Bible Church and Lai Labode Foundation, respectively.
Among dignitaries present at the event were; Senator Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu, Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Alhaji. Bola Adeyemi, representing former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Past Chairmen of Ogun NUJ, Mr Eddy Aina and Barrister Demola Badejo.
Also present were; Founder, Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Professor. Dele Odunlami, who is also the Chairman of the Panel Session, Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State Branch, Mr. Kunle Olayeni amongst other veteran journalists and members of the media profession.
0 Comments