Victoria Bamas, editor at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), has called on media practitioners, particularly investigative journalists, to embrace a collaborative approach with Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than having antagonising views. She emphasised that AI can enhance journalistic output and contribute to greater accuracy in reporting. Bamas spoke virtually during a panel session at the 4th Amplify In-depth Media (AIM) Conference convened by the Wole Soyinka Centre hosted for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).

She highlighted AI’s transformative potential and noted that its proper application can significantly elevate the quality of analysis and investigative work conducted by journalists and media organisations. Drawing from research she had reviewed, the ICIR editor and 2023 ReportWomen fellow underscored a critical issue with contemporary machine learning AI systems. She pointed out that the dataset used to train these AI models is predominantly derived from societal norms and realities of Western cultural contexts. As a result, she explained, these systems often carry inherent biases, making them less effective and potentially problematic when applied in a different cultural or environmental context. Bamas emphasised that this disparity poses significant challenges for journalists and media practitioners in diverse regions, highlighting the need for localised datasets and contextualised AI development to ensure equitable and accurate applications across varied societal frameworks.

Watch the first day of the conference here.

Responding to participants’ questions on balancing speed and ethical considerations in using AI, she harped on the critical role ethics plays in journalism, noting that ethical standards are the foundation of the profession, designed to protect its integrity and ensure credibility. Bamas also stressed the importance of full disclosure when incorporating AI tools into investigative reporting, stating that “transparency is crucial to maintaining trust and avoiding questions about the credibility of journalistic outputs, especially investigative pieces.” She also highlighted the need to respect individuals’ privacy during investigations, cautioning against overreach that could compromise ethical and constitutional boundaries.

Moreover, she advised journalists to avoid blanket statements about the use of AI, advocating instead for a nuanced approach. She said, “AI should be employed selectively in specific aspects of investigative reporting where it enhances efficiency without replacing the essential human element.” In such cases, she underscored the necessity of clearly stating the extent to which AI tools have been used, as this will ensure accountability and uphold professional standards and credibility and trust will be established between the audience and journalists.

Ending on a poignant note, she called for a collective awakening to the immense possibilities within such synergies. She painted a narrative of Africans, and specifically Nigerians, crafting an AI ecosystem that truly speaks to Africans, for Africans, and about Africans. In this call to action, Bamas left her audience with a resonant challenge: to reimagine the future of technology not as a distant, foreign construct but as a tool tailored to empower the narratives and realities of their world.