We are delighted to announce the 2024 cohort of the AI Journalism Fellowship Program West Africa, conducted by FactCheckAfrica and the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative.
We received over 431 applications from across the region and shortlisted 75 candidates from over 30 organizations at the initial phase. 41 candidates, journalists, educators and researchers from over 30 organizations and institutions across West Africa were then unveiled in the second month to proceed in this prestigious program.
Receiving over 25 sessions from esteemed facilitators: Dr Greg Gondwe, David Caswell, Prof Elisabeth Muller, Camilla Bath, Walid Al-Saqaf, Douglas Ng, Laurens VreeKamp, S. I. Ohumu, Joshua Olufemi, Sam Guzik, Ali Al Ibrahim, Justina Asishana, Prof. Stephen Quinn, Bratislava Lovre, Muhammed Akinyemi, Mallick Mnela, Prof Hannes Cools, Andreas M. Panagopoulos, Nicholas Mamo, David Lemeyian, Paul Bradshaw, Wales Ahmed, Nikita Roy, and Brownyn Jones on sessions ranging from overview of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism, Practical Applications of Generative AI for Journalists, Ensuring Ethical and Equitable AI Practices in Journalism, Strategies for Implementing AI in News Production, AI and Audience Engagement, Developing an Effective AI Implementation Plan for News Organizations, Adapting AI Tools to Meet Specific Journalism Needs, Reporting on Generative AI: Challenges and Opportunities, Utilizing AI for Data Analysis and Data Visualization in Journalism, Creating Impactful Visuals Using AI Tools, Identifying Deepfakes and Disinformation in Journalism, and Assembling Your AI Toolkit: Adapting AI Tools to Meet Specific Journalism Needs.
In the three months of the fellowship, Fellows collaborated in teams of 6-7 working to leverage AI to enhance reporting and other journalism processes.
Our team, together with our facilitators, conducted the final evaluation and selection based on the strength of the project proposals.
Fellows belong to news organizations from 6 countries in West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Liberia. They represent both legacy, smaller news organizations, Universities etc.
Meet the cohort of the 2024 AI Journalism Fellowship Program West Africa:
Learn more about the 6 projects and meet the 2024 AI Journalism Fellows:
- Language Translator for real-time translation in Newsrooms
MyLanguageTranslator will be designed to utilize advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that will be trained specifically on African languages and dialects. It will be designed to offer real-time translation, ensuring timely dissemination of news and journalistic content in different African languages. Using machine learning models, its model will continuously improve through feedback from users to improve its accuracy and contextual relevance over time. Also, my AI translator is expected.
Fellows
Toheeb Babalola, Nigeria (Freelance reporter with Premium Times)
Patricia Sia Ngevao, Sierra Leone (News Reporter, Awoko Publications (SL) Ltd)
Shuaib Muhammad Bashir, Nigeria (Reporter at Confidence News Ng)
Konah Rufus, Liberia (Director of News, Quality Media Incorporated)
Paul Emeka Chimodo, Nigeria (Online Editor/Social media manager Today FM)
- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for wider audience reach in African newsrooms Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools
We want to build a tool that can proffer timely translation solutions to journalists.The team wishes to build an AI tool in an App and web format, which would be prompt-based, to allow every user to utilise the tool however they deem fit.
The AI tool would translate content from only English to other African languages while ensuring it utilises the services of Indigenous people to programme the right word to capture the essence of every language. Also by providing translations of news articles and information in different languages, newsrooms can facilitate cultural exchanges, build stronger relationships, and promote unity among diverse populations.
Fellows
Rahaman Abiola, Nigeria (Editor-in-Chief, LEGIT.ng)
SIDIBE Adnan Salif Hamidou, Burkina Faso (Journalist Fact-checker at Fasocheck)
Ige Tofarati, Nigeria (Lifestyle Editor (Punch Newspaper))
Janefrances Chibundu, Nigeria (Climate reporter, Fact-check journalist)
Yukfu Sylvie Bantar, Cameroon (Journalist/ Cameroon Radio Television)
Titilope Fadare, Nigeria (Assistant Podcast Editor, SciDevNet, Sub Saharan Africa (English)
- Enhancing News Dissemination and Cross-cultural Understanding in Africa through Effective Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Translation Tools
VoxAfrica is an innovative AI-Powered translation tool that leverages machine learning, algorithms and natural language processing techniques to provide swift, accurate and culturally sensitive translations of news content into multiple African languages. By leveraging AI, the tool can translate news content, text, audio and even visual material into multiple African languages ensuring language is no longer a barrier to information access. This enables news Media to reach audiences across linguistic divides promoting greater inclusivity and engagement.
Fellows
Che Azenyui Bruno, Cameroon (Founder, Digifarms Africa and Freelance Journalist)
Effande Lyonga Larry, Cameroon (Multimedia Journalist, Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), State broadcaster.)
Emmanual Obe, Nigeria (Editor, National Point)
Amamboh Carrey Pride Asongu, Cameroon (Journalist, Ndefam Radio Bamenda)
Afia Agyapomaa Ofosu, Ghana (Communication Consultant/Freelance Journalist)
Ibrahim Adam, Nigeria (Web Officer and Reporter)
Isa Ali Musa, Nigeria (Research Scholar, DFRLab)
4. Project Title: AI-Powered Multilingual Translation System to Enhance Journalism in West Africa
Develop an automatic speech-to-text and text-to-speech translation platform for languages spoken in West Africa, specifically designed for the needs of journalism. Our solution stands out by its specific adaptation to the needs of African journalists, integrating a variety of local languages with real-time translation tools while considering local accents and dialects. This platform goes beyond existing solutions by offering close integration with local linguistic experts and initiatives such as Masakhane.
Fellows
ILONA Katherine Ngozi, Nigeria (Radio content Asistant, Radio IITA, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA))
Lawanson Olajumoke , Nigeria (Communication and media relations director, PFZ Limited)
Arinze Chijioke, Nigeria (Ripples Nigeria)
Oluwalowo Tosin Opeyemi Nigeria (Managing Editor, Bold Sports)
Congo Rabiatou, Burkina Faso (Fasocheck)
5. AI-powered Content Recommendations tool
The AI-powered recommendation system aims to personalize content for African journalism audiences, enhancing their engagement and access to relevant information. The system will be developed in collaboration with African news outlets, media organizations, and journalism schools.
Fellows
Ugwu Tochukwu Onwe, Nigeria (Tech enthusiast, blogger and content writer)
Jerry Gaye, Liberia (Fact-Checker/Local Voices Liberia)
Umar Al’amin, Nigeria (Climate Reporter at HumAngle Media Limited)
Aruwajoye Oladapo Olugbenga, Nigeria (CEO, QED Network Ltd and Senior Special Assistant on Broadcast Communications to Ondo state Governor)
Esther Ewune otto, Nigeria (Sports journalist, Media sports Info)
Ndinojuo Ben-Collins Emeka, Nigeria (Lecturer, University of Port Harcourt)
Onwuzoo Angela, Nigeria (Deputy Editor PUNCH Healthwise. PUNCH Newspaper)
