SMI Holds Virtual Training on Effective, Responsible and Safe AI Use for Journalists

ABUJA — 28 March 2026.

As part of its commitment to expanding access to artificial intelligence training for media professionals, Safer-Media Initiative (SMI) held a virtual training session for journalists on Saturday, 28 March 2026.

The session was designed to provide an inclusive learning opportunity for journalists who were unable to attend the in-person workshops previously held in Abuja, Lagos, and Benin City. It delivered the same comprehensive curriculum and hands-on experience, ensuring broader participation across the country.

The Executive Director and CEO of SMI, Peter Iorter, noted that the virtual training reflects the organisation’s dedication to ensuring no journalist is left behind in the rapidly evolving AI-driven media landscape.

Iorter said:

“This virtual session is designed to extend the same quality of learning and engagement to those who could not attend physically. It is important that every journalist, regardless of location, has access to the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the changing media environment responsibly.”

He further disclosed that the training will be followed by a virtual question-and-answer session scheduled for Wednesday, 1 April 2026, aimed at addressing challenges participants may encounter when applying their newly acquired skills.

Iorter added:

“The follow-up session is designed to address the challenges participants may face when trying to apply what they learned during the training.”

Participants were taken through a comprehensive curriculum, including Prompt Engineering, which focused on “The Art of Prompting” to achieve high-quality journalistic results. The training also featured hands-on reviews of AI-powered tools aimed at improving efficiency in research, editing, and newsroom workflows.

In addition to technical skills, the session emphasised ethical practices in the use of artificial intelligence. Participants explored strategies for combating misinformation, maintaining editorial standards, and addressing gender-sensitive risks, alongside ensuring safety in digital workspaces.

The virtual training builds on the success of the in-person workshop series themed “AI Tools for Journalists: Effective, Responsible and Safe Use,” under SMI’s Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Project: Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future.

The AIM project is supported by UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).