Media in Tanzania steadily adopt AI amid concerns

Dar es Salaam. While Tanzania’s media industry is increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), significant obstacles such as job displacement fears, ethical dilemmas, transparency deficits and technological over-dependence are impeding its complete integration.

These findings are detailed in a new report, The State of Artificial Intelligence for Media Development in Tanzania (AI4MD), produced by Unesco in collaboration with TECH and Media Convergence (TMC).

The report highlights that while AI is being embraced by media houses, fears about job displacement remain a significant challenge.

Speaking during the report’s launch, TMC Founder and CEO Asha Abinallah emphasised that the study aimed to assess the role of AI in journalism and media houses. 

“In presenting this report, I chose four keywords that summarise our journey—innovation, technology, impact and collaboration,” she said. 

She added that the research aligns with an ongoing programme in partnership with Unesco, which aims to train 300 journalists on AI-related skills.

“Before launching the training program, it was crucial to first assess the current state of AI in the media sector. This report serves as a foundation for discussions with stakeholders and will help develop guidelines for AI use in journalism,” she explained.

Unesco’s sector lead, communication and information, Ms Nancy Angulo, noted that AI is transforming journalism globally, offering great opportunities while also posing challenges such as misinformation, algorithmic bias, and media sustainability issues.

“The study provides critical insights into AI awareness, adoption, and gaps in Tanzania’s media sector. It offers a data-driven approach to policymaking and capacity-building efforts,” she said.

Ms Angulo added that the findings will help strengthen AI-related training, promote ethical AI use, and support policy development in Tanzania. 

“This study aligns with Tanzania’s efforts to integrate AI into the media sector. It also builds on recommendations from various industry dialogues and calls for stronger collaboration between the government, media stakeholders, civil society, academia, and international partners,” she said. 

Unesco outlined four key priorities in the report: developing national AI guidelines for the media sector, investing in AI training for journalists to bridge the digital literacy gap, strengthening policies that safeguard press freedom and combat misinformation, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure inclusive AI governance.

Representing the ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Lilian Shirima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Tanzania’s media sector keeps pace with technological advancements. 

“Our ministry is dedicated to supporting the growth of the media industry in line with global technological developments while upholding ethical standards and cultural values. We recognise that a strong media system is crucial for public discourse and national development,” she said.

Acting Executive Editor of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) Mpoki Thompson acknowledged that AI is already in use within the company but stressed the importance of a balanced approach.

“We are open-minded about AI and encourage its use among our journalists. However, we take a cautious approach, as English proficiency remains a challenge for many,” he said.

Mr Thompson also pointed out that over-reliance on AI could lead to complacency among journalists.

“One of the key challenges is laziness. While we encourage editors and reporters to use AI tools, we have noticed instances where they rely on them recklessly. That’s why we are in the process of developing an internal AI policy to guide its proper use,” he said.

The report’s findings serve as a wake-up call for Tanzania’s media sector, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges AI presents.

As the industry moves forward, balancing innovation with ethical considerations will be key to harnessing AI’s full potential while maintaining journalistic integrity.