Professor Kester Quist-Aphetsi, Chair of the National Cyber Intelligence and Cyber Defence Research Project, delivered a compelling keynote address at the inaugural Media AI Conference hosted by the Institute of Competency-Based Education (ICBE) under Dominion University College of Education.
The event, themed “Artificial Intelligence, Truth, and Media Innovation,” brought together over 30 journalists and industry stakeholders to explore AI’s transformative role in governance, security, education, and economic development.
AI: A Catalyst for Productivity, Not a Threat
In an exclusive interview, Prof. Quist-Aphetsi dismissed widespread fears about AI’s disruptive impact, framing it as a tool for efficiency and growth. “AI is not evil; it’s here to make work easier, enhance understanding, save time, and boost productivity,” he asserted. Drawing parallels to agricultural mechanization, he
explained: “Just as tractors replaced hoes to farm hectares instead of plots, AI will automate mundane tasks, freeing humans to focus on higher-value work.” He emphasized that while AI may displace some jobs, it will create new opportunities, urging policymakers to craft regulations that “encourage AI adoption for competitive advantage, not restrict it.”
Call for Proactive Policies and Regional Leadership
Prof. Quist-Aphetsi stressed Ghana’s need to position itself as an AI leader in West Africa. “We must embrace new technologies and forge partnerships—like Google’s recent $37 million AI investment in Africa—to share knowledge and accelerate development,” he said, referencing initiatives such as the AI Community Center in Accra and skills-training programs like the 100,000 Google
Career Certificates for Ghanaian students. He added that policies should prioritize AI integration in sectors like governance, healthcare, and agriculture to drive “sustainable profitability and regional influence.”
Partnerships and Education Key to Success
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Prof. Quist-Aphetsi praised initiatives like the Masakhane African Languages AI Hub, which leverages AI to preserve indigenous languages. He also underscored the role of institutions like Dominion University’s ICBE in bridging the skills gap through workshops on prompt engineering, deepfake detection, and AI-powered content creation—topics covered at the conference. “We must equip our workforce with AI literacy to compete globally,” he noted.
Looking Ahead
The professor’s address resonated with attendees, sparking discussions on ethical AI use and media innovation. His closing remark—”AI’s potential is boundless; let’s harness it to shape Africa’s future”—set the tone for future editions of the conference, which aims to become a flagship platform for AI discourse in Ghana.
Conference Highlights
The one-day intensive workshop was structured into five (5) key modules, each designed to enhance participants’ understanding of AI’s impact on media:
1. Introduction to AI in Media
– Explored foundational AI concepts and their applications in journalism.
– Discussed ethical considerations in AI-driven reporting.
2. Prompt Engineering and ChatGPT
– Hands-on training on optimizing AI chatbots for research, interviews, and content drafting.
– Best practices for generating accurate and engaging media content using AI.
3. Deepfake and Misinformation Detection
– Practical demonstrations on identifying AI-generated fake news and manipulated media.
– Tools and strategies to combat disinformation in the digital age.
4. AI Tools for Content Creation
– Showcased AI-powered platforms for video editing, automated writing, and data visualization.
– Case studies on how newsrooms are leveraging AI for efficiency.
5. Building a Media AI Toolkit
– Curated resources for journalists to integrate AI into their workflow.
– Discussions on future trends in AI and journalism.
Key Takeaways
– AI is reshaping journalism, offering tools for faster research, fact-checking, and storytelling.
– Ethical concerns remain critical, particularly in combating deepfakes and ensuring transparency.
– Media professionals must adapt to stay ahead in an AI-driven information landscape.
Speakers and Facilitators
The conference featured industry experts, AI researchers including , and media innovators, who provided insights into the evolving relationship between journalism and artificial intelligence.
By Kingsley Asiedu
