SMI Trains Abuja Journalists on Effective, Responsible and Safe AI Use
By SMI | Mar 27, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — 27 March 2026.
In an effort to bridge the knowledge and skill gap in the application of artificial intelligence, Safer-Media Initiative (SMI) organised a training workshop for journalists in Abuja on Thursday, 26 March 2026.
The Executive Director and CEO of SMI, Peter Iorter, emphasised that the training was both vital and urgent. He noted that AI has emerged as one of the most disruptive technological innovations, fundamentally altering how news is gathered, produced, and distributed. While AI presents significant opportunities, Mr Iorter warned that it must be handled with care.
Iorter said:
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it is here, shaping how stories are discovered, verified, and told, but with these opportunities come responsibilities. That is why this training is not just important; it is urgent. At SMI, we believe AI should enhance our work and help us tell trusted stories, not distort them.”
He further remarked that journalists must harness the potential of AI to work "smarter, faster, and deeper" while strictly safeguarding ethics and public trust.
Iorter added: “This workshop is not just about learning new tools; it is about building a culture of responsible innovation—where AI strengthens journalistic integrity rather than undermining it.”
The training facilitator, Titilope Fadare Oparinde, led sessions focusing on the evolving role of AI in the modern newsroom, the art of "effective prompting" to achieve high-quality journalistic results, and hands-on reviews of AI-powered tools for research, editing, and fact-checking.
Complementing the technical skills, the Country Director of Dataphyte, Oluseyi Olufemi, delivered a session focused on data integrity and ethical practices. He stressed the importance of using AI to combat misinformation and highlighted digital safety concerns, including gender-sensitive risks inherent in new technologies.
Participants expressed high levels of satisfaction, with several describing the programme as the "best training ever" for its practical approach to newsroom optimisation.
The training workshop, themed “AI Tools for Journalists: Effective, Responsible and Safe Use”, is an activity of SMI’s Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Project: Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future. The AIM project is made possible through funding from UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
Having already held successful sessions in Lagos and Benin City, the Abuja leg concludes the in-person series. The training workshop activity will culminate in a virtual training session designed to provide equal opportunities for journalists who were unable to attend the physical workshops due to their distance from the three cities.
