Leadership Newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, Azu Ishiekwene has called on budding journalists to refrain from over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to avoid losing their innate creativity and originality.
He gave the advice on Tuesday during the reading of his book entitled: “Writing for Media and Monetizing It”, which was held at Tayo Aderinokun Hall at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka.
Ishiekwene noted that it was imperative for a journalist not to lose his voice and pattern, adding that AI should not be allowed to erode creativity.
He said: “AI cannot capture emotions. It has only helped to cut drudgery. Never stop honing your craft, understand the AI tools you are using. Don’t subsume your creativity under AI, but focus on content and storytelling. Danger lies in over-reliance on AI”.
The author, who relived how his writing skills were shaped, noted that The Nation Editorial Adviser, Prof. Olatunji Dare, once described his term paper during his undergraduate days at UNILAG as “disco journalism”.
Urging students and aspiring journalists to be dedicated to their craft, Ishiekwene identified diligence and consistence as what they need to make money.
“You don’t need a degree to create content and make money. Consistency and persistence are important. You need to also reinvent yourself in changing times”, he said.
The columnist stressed the need for journalism teachers to catch up with changes in the course because journalism is not only the fifth most subscribed course in Nigeria, but most of the textbooks used are outdated.
He read excerpts from chapters one, nine, thirteen, fourteen and fifteen, which according to him, are pivotal to the book.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
