Abuja: Farooq Kperogi, a Nigerian-American Professor and newspaper columnist, has called on journalists not to allow Artificial Intelligence (AI) to erase their uniqueness, humanity, and individuality. The media scholar gave the advice during an interactive session with the Editorial Management Board of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, at the agency's headquarters in Abuja. Kperogi highlighted the impact of AI as the biggest challenge in contemporary journalism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal writing styles in the face of rapidly advancing technology.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kperogi expressed concerns about AI imposing an American style of writing, which he described as 'linguistic imperialism'. He argued that imperialism is unacceptable as it undermines the uniqueness and diversity that define humanity. The professor acknowledged that while AI tools like ChatGPT can assist with data interpretation and other tasks, they should not replace the individuality inherent in journalistic writing. He emphasized the importance of preserving the identity and historical experiences reflected in one's writing, warning against sacrificing these in pursuit of convenience.
Kperogi also dismissed fears that AI would lead to job losses in the media industry. He asserted that if used with caution, AI has the potential to enhance, rather than replace, journalistic work by supporting judgment and individuality. He pointed out that AI fails in tasks like feature article writing, which require a human-centered approach. Kperogi commended NAN for its neutrality and objectivity in reportage, noting that AI lacks the capacity to influence such journalistic values.
In response, the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali M. Ali, expressed appreciation for Kperogi's validation of the agency's efforts. Ali, who has maintained a relationship with Kperogi for three decades, reiterated the need for journalists to be cautious in their use of AI, highlighting the importance of maintaining linguistic identity and personal uniqueness in journalistic endeavors.