KNOWLEDGE, UTILIZATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS BY FEMALE JOURNALISTS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In an era of rapid technological advancement, the media landscape is undergoing a digital revolution fuelled by the growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. These advancements have the potential to significantly alter how journalists conduct research, create content, and interact with audiences. Applying the diffusion of Innovation theory developed by Everett Rogers, this study examines the awareness and utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among female broadcast journalists in Lagos State, Nigeria. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews, we explored the levels of awareness, usage, and perceived benefits of AI tools among 217 female journalists in the region. Our findings indicate a moderate level of awareness and usage of AI tools, such as ChatGPT. among the participants. The study also identified significant barriers to adoption, including limited technical expertise and lack of access to training. Our study highlights the need for targeted training and capacity-building initiatives to empower female journalists in Lagos State to effectively harness the potential of AI tools in their professional practice. The findings have implications for promoting gender inclusivity in the development and use of AI in the media industry.