Google through its News Initiative on Friday organised an Artificial Intelligence workshop for journalists to enhance their storytelling, improve production, and equip them with cutting edge technological skills.

The initiative reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to supporting the media industry in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, the Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Google, West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said that it was dedicated to organising the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful.

Mr Kola-Ogunlade said that the commitment extended to the news industry, where Google aimed to advance quality journalism, strengthen publisher business models and cultivate a collaborative global news community.

He said that the training in Nigeria at this time demonstrated Google’s focus on expanding these resources to include additional regions and languages, ensuring that journalists and news organisations globally leverage AI to enhance their work.

“Through initiatives like AI training workshops, we provide journalists and creators with tools such as Gemini, Pinpoint and NotebookLM to enhance research, fact-checking and content creation. We strive to responsibly engage users with new AI experiences, give publishers control over their content and fight misinformation together, ensuring AI is helpful for everyone. This training in Nigeria is part of Google News Initiative, designed to equip journalists and creators with AI tools for news,’’ he stated.

Mr Kola-Ogunlade noted that the initiative reflected Google’s commitment to boldly and responsibly engage users with new AI experiences, give publishers control over their content and fight misinformation.

Participants at the training lauded the training, saying it was timely and impactful.

A participant, Adebola Adegoke, said that the training was insightful and informative.

She said that it would help boost her storytelling skills and production in the newsroom generally.

Another participant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that those who didn’t leverage AI training opportunities would be replaced by those informed and trained in the use of AI.

The training, which was in partnership with GomyCode, provided access to tools such as Gemini, Fact Check Explorer, Pinpoint, and NotebookLM.

The workshop enabled participants to search, fact check, and analyse large collections of documents and summarise information faster.

(NAN)