Google organized an AI workshop in Lagos through its News Initiative to enhance journalists’ storytelling and production capabilities. Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade highlighted this initiative’s importance in supporting quality journalism and empowering journalists globally with necessary AI tools. Participants reported the training as insightful and crucial for professional growth in the media landscape.
Google, through its News Initiative (GNI), held an Artificial Intelligence (AI) workshop in Lagos aimed at enhancing the storytelling capabilities of journalists while improving their production techniques and technology skills. This workshop forms part of Google’s commitment to aiding the media industry in addressing the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
During the event, Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communication and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, emphasized the company’s mission to organize world information so that it is universally accessible and useful. He noted that this focus spans the news industry, where Google seeks to promote quality journalism and support the business models of publishers.
Mr. Kola-Ogunlade underscored the importance of such training sessions, indicating that conducting this workshop in Nigeria indicates Google’s intent to broaden access to AI resources in diverse regions and languages. This accessibility ensures journalists globally can effectively utilize AI to improve their practices.
To enhance research, fact-checking, and content creation, Google introduced several AI tools such as Gemini, Pinpoint, and NotebookLM during these initiatives. The aim is to responsibly engage users through advanced AI experiences, giving publishers greater control over their content while collaboratively combating misinformation.
Participants expressed that the workshop’s content was both timely and beneficial. Adebola Adegoke, a representative from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), remarked on the training’s impact on her storytelling and newsroom production skills, describing it as “insightful and informative.” Another participant emphasized the necessity of AI training, warning that those neglecting such opportunities may be replaced by more informed and trained individuals.
The training, organized in collaboration with GomyCode, facilitated access to various AI tools that enabled attendees to search through, fact-check, analyze large document collections, and summarize information with enhanced efficiency.
In summary, Google’s workshop stands as a testament to its commitment to fostering technological proficiency among journalists through AI. The event not only aims to enhance the quality of journalism but also to empower media practitioners in navigating the evolving digital landscape. By equipping participants with essential AI tools and knowledge, Google encourages responsible practices in reporting and content creation.
Original Source: von.gov.ng
