The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umaru Pate, has said Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come to revolutionise journalism.

Pate stated this while delivering a keynote address during the 2024 International Conference organised by the Department of Mass Communication of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The theme of the conference was, “Artificial Intelligence, Communication and Knowledge Economy in the 21st Century.”

Prof. Pate, who was the keynote speaker at the conference, described AI as the “intelligence of a machine or computer that enables it to imitate or mimic human capabilities.”

He said the AI uses multiple technologies that equip the machines to sense, comprehend, plan, act, and learn at a human-like level.

The vice chancellor stated that what should be of concern to journalists is that, as much as AI has come to revolutionise the existing pattern of news gathering and dissemination, it has some benefits and also presents some challenges to the practitioners as well.

Prof. Pate, therefore, advised students and journalism practitioners to adapt to and use the technology, in order not to be left out.

He also urged authorities in the education system to adapt and follow the trends of time by creating an enabling environment for learning that will produce scholars that can function in AI era.

“If you want to think about the future of Journalism, think about the technology. AI technology is here with us, with great prospects and threats to Journalism.

“Invest in innovation and increase our knowledgeability and capabilities to catch up with the rest of the world. Analog manager plus digital technology is useless,” Pate emphasised.

Daily Trust

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TECHDIGEST – WikkiTimes, an investigative and data journalism outlet founded in 2018 will launch Umaru Pate Accountability Reporting Fellowship.

Named after Professor Umaru Pate, the current Vice Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State ,the fellowship will offer six months paid-internship to young graduates in investigative, data and fact-checking journalism.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of Journalism, the fellowship will be launched on 4th January 2023 to mark the professor’s 59th birthdate.

A well-credentialed scholar, and academic of international repute, Pate is the pioneer Dean, of the Faculty of Communication, at Bayero University Kano and Chairman of SOLACEBASE editorial board.

As a Professor of Media and Society and an advocate of investigative journalism, Pate has won several international grants for the Faculty of Communications at BUK.

Pate’s contribution includes the modification of the Nigerian Journalism curriculum to address emerging trends in the industry.

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Commenting on the fellowship, WikkiTimes’ publisher, Haruna Mohammed Salisu said “Umaru Pate is one of Nigeria’s finest media scholars who has mentored and selflessly supported hundreds of journalists in Nigeria and beyond. He has tutored media scholars and has been at the forefront in advancing the frontiers of media scholarship.

“Inspired by his continuous service to humanity, we are kick starting a graduate fellowship program where we intend to train graduates who have a demonstrable interest in accountability journalism. For us at WikkiTimes, there is no better way to celebrate Professor Pate than to launch this kind of program; because we believe that doing so will advance the very principles and values Professor Pate stood for years,” Haruna said.

The publisher added that in the first year of the fellowship, WikkiTimes will recruit six graduates in total, who have completed the compulsory one-year national service and will be mentored by experienced data journalists and fact-checkers for six months.

“The idea is to help the fellows access the best mentoring opportunities to enable them to hold power to account — in line with the creeds for which Professor Pate stands throughout his career,” Haruna added.

Source: Solacebase

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