Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Awoyemi advocate responsible AI deployment for trust, storytelling at Polaris Bank’s 12th Media Capacity Seminar

Polaris Bank Limited, Nigeria’s leading digital retail commercial bank on Friday, July 3 held its annual media capacity seminar for journalists and other media practitioners. 

The seminar, now 12th in the series focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape and practice especially as relates to trust and storytelling. Held in hybrid format, the seminar themed ‘Rebuilding Trust and Re-Inventing Storytelling in the Age of AI’ had in attendance over 650 participants online and offline.

As is now custom, the Bank enlisted two media veterans (Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a prominent Nigerian academic, communication scholar, and the Director of the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Femi Awoyemi, a foremost financial intelligence expert and Founder/CEO of Proshare) who examined the subject matter from distinct professional perspectives.

In his opening remarks, Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa while welcoming resource persons and participants noted that the Bank’s consistency over the years with the training was testament to its belief that a strong, professional, and well-equipped media is indispensable to national development, economic growth, democratic accountability, and public trust.

“For over a decade, this platform has reflected our unwavering belief that a strong, professional, and well-equipped media is indispensable to national development, economic growth, democratic accountability, and public trust. At Polaris Bank, we recognise that journalists are not merely reporters of events; they are custodians of facts, shapers of public discourse, and critical partners in nation-building.

This year’s theme, “Rebuilding Trust and Re-Inventing Storytelling in the Age of AI,” could not be more timely. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape how information is created, distributed, and consumed, the media industry faces both unprecedented opportunities and profound challenges. The imperative to preserve credibility, strengthen public trust, and uphold ethical journalism has never been greater.

Bolarinwa further appreciated the over 650 participating journalists with assurances that the Bank will continue to invest in the series for the overall benefits of the media, practitioners and nation at large.

“It is for this reason that Polaris Bank remains committed to investing in media capacity development. We believe that empowering journalists with contemporary knowledge, practical insights, and emerging digital competencies ultimately strengthens the entire information ecosystem and benefits society as a whole.

To the more than 650 journalists participating from across Nigeria’s media landscape, we thank you for your continued dedication to the profession and for joining us on this important learning journey. ,” the Bank executive said.

In their respective sessions, the resource persons provided valuable perspectives on ‘The Trust Economy’ vis-à-vis its implications for media, business, and society in this AI age.

For Prof Ogwezzy-Ndisika, the adoption of AI in itself is not the problem but the intent. According to her, the invention has come to stay and media practitioners, particularly journalists should tap from its numerous advantages.

“Al is good. However, the purpose of deployment is always the issue. While some people explore the good side to boost productivity, others have been deploying it negatively to alter voice, text and video therefore disrupting the fragile trust in the media ecosystem.”

Delving extensively on the place of AI in newsrooms, Awoyemi explained that journalists who by now haven’t mastered the use of AI to boost their work are doing so at their own peril. He noted that while AI can assist with streamlining the workflow, however, journalists should at all times infuse the human angle by fact checking where necessary before publication.

“AI is a fantastic invention but you can’t outsource all your basic news/story writing responsibilities to it and expect a faultless outcome. At every stage, you must infuse your human angle to it focusing on data and not mere projections.”

Highlight of the seminar was participants’ appreciation of Polaris Bank management for honouring their word to keep the seminar running from inception.