Google set to train over twenty-five female journalists in Lagos on AI. The training was done in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in Lagos, and the women will be trained to use Google’s latest Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Beyond Buzzword: Discover AI with Google” is the tag for the workshop. The participants were drawn from different media houses, such as print, radio, television, and new media. This program was organised to teach them how journalists are meant to use the tools to make their work better, faster, and more efficient, as well as to help avoid tech pitfalls.
The training is meant to provide valuable insights into Google’s AI-first approach with its exquisite tools.
The host of the program, Gemini Communications, and Google Claudine Beaumont who anchored the training session virtually from Johannesburg, taught the different journalists, including different practical sessions.
The host presented insights into Google’s current advancements, bringing a clearer understanding of the organization’s commitment to AI research.
She also gave her participants a closer look at how AI is an everyday tool, such as Google Search and Google Maps. Special ideas like Project Greenlight were used as pioneering examples of AI’s potential in handling the world’s challenges, like climate change.
The Head of Communication, Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, handled the physical session of the different Google AI tools. He said the AI was taking centre change and also contributing to how other individuals worked, AI has also influenced tech industries globally.
In his speech, Taiwo-Ogunlade confirmed that media personnel are the conscience of the nation; they teach and inform using the news.
“If there is any technology that people in the press and people who are journalists must know, it is introducing them to the new forms of using AI to do their work and to tell better stories; what AI tools are available; how to use them to communicate and use them more efficiently,” he said.
He also said that the training was part of Google’s intent to keep African media personnel and journalists updated with current technology.
He said over 200 journalists from Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya have participated in the AI training.
“This is the first time this training is done across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and again it’s because Africa is very important to Google.
”The African team at Google was one of the first to say, let’s just do it because we have a lot of journalists who continue to reach out to say what’s going on in the world of AI.
“As more people learn about the transformative power of AI and as more tools begin to emerge, the people who again serve as the conscience of our nation and tell us the stories that others don’t want to tell to unveil all the happenings in our nation need to be aware of the tools that can help them improve their work.
”Regarding the fears that AI will take away jobs when new technologies come up, people express fears that are justified. Still, the advice is for them to improve their capacity,” Kola-Ogunlade concluded.
The NAWOJ Vice Chairman in the Lagos chapter, Mr. Bunmi Yekini, said in his speech that Google-led generative AI and Digital Skills training for all NAWOJ members couldn’t have come at a better time.
She said, “The training exposes our members to both existing and new Google tools, such as Google Lens, Gemini search, Google Photos with its magic eraser, and many more.
“With what we have learned today, I believe that our journalists have been empowered to tell stories in innovative ways, reach wider audiences, and navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape.
“Adapting to emerging technologies is non-negotiable in this era that has become increasingly digitalised.”
The Deputy Director of New Media, FRCN, Julie Ekong, who was among the participants, confirmed that the training helped them catch up with AI trends and gain a deeper understanding of them.
“I think it will help on the job by making the work faster,” she said.
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