Artificial Intelligence in African Media and Communication

Abdulgaffar Olawale Arikewuyo Ph.D. is an accomplished and award-winning academic, media professional, and lecturer with diverse experience in journalism and higher education. His research interests are extensive, encompassing communication psychology, media, AI, interpersonal communication, and journalism. Dr. Arikewuyo's publications reflect his diverse research interests and commitment to addressing contemporary societal issues through the lens of Communication and Journalism. His studies have contributed valuable insights into the changing landscape of media technologies and their influence on both personal and political spheres.Lambe Kayode Mustapha, an Alumnus of UNILAG, Nigeria and IIUM Malaysia, is a seasoned mass communication and media studies scholars with bias for media effects, political communication, and novel media research, where he has published extensively in top-rated peer reviewed journals and collaborated with numerous scholars around the world. Professor Mustapha is formerly the Head of Department of Mass Communication and currently the Director of General Studies Division at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

"This book presents a vivid insight into the tensions between opportunity and inequality. Across its chapters, it establishes clear evidence of the immense opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for expanding the frontiers of communication in Africa. In equal measure, it demonstrates why the urgency to address the fault lines created by inequality cannot be treated with pretence. This is a timely resource that will facilitate critical discourse in our classrooms, conferences, and hallway debates."Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Professor, University of Ghana."Artificial Intelligence in African Media and Communication: Reshaping Pedagogies and Professional Practice offers a timely and rigorous examination of how artificial intelligence is transforming media education and professional practice across Africa. Drawing on contributions from leading African and diaspora scholars, the volume positions the continent not as a passive recipient of global AI developments but as an active contributor shaping AI discourses from its own social, cultural, and professional contexts."Rotimi Olatunji, PhD, RPA, MNIPR, MNAL, Professor of Public Relations and Advertising, Lagos State University, Ojo, and President, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria."This book is timely, as it addresses one of the most pressing issues in the world today, one that affects every sphere of human endeavour: artificial intelligence. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the application of AI in media and communication in Africa, as well as the associated issues such as ethics, misinformation, and cultural misalignment. This is a much-needed book at this time."Professor Abiodun Salawu, FNAL, MASSAf, MRSSAf, Director, Research Entity: Indigenous Language Media in Africa, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, South Africa."Bridging theory and practice, this book provides a deep analysis of AI’s role in African media, journalism, and democracy. Its varied and engaging chapters effectively identify challenges such as algorithmic bias and the digital divide, while offering clear and practical steps for scholars and professionals alike."Mustapha Muhammed Jamiu, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Senior Researcher, Institute of Geopolitical Communications, Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, Russian Federation, Co-Vice Chair, Journalism Research and Education Section, International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), and Executive Director, Centre for Research on the Development of African Media, Governance and Society (CEREDEMS-Africa)."This timely book sheds clear light on best practices and emerging opportunities of AI for African media. It offers practice-grounded reflections on how AI is reshaping media education and professional work across Africa. I highly recommend this book, which is an invaluable guide for scholars, teachers, and practitioners."Ismail Ahmed, Doctor, Qatar University."Finally, this work discusses AI as it operates within the African context rather than replicating external models. It shows how journalists use AI, the challenges that arise, and how these tools can function effectively within constrained budgets. If you work in communication, media, education, or policy, you will find practical and insightful answers here."Saifeldin Hassan Elawad Abdalla, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of Communication, Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan.

• 1: Introduction: Waking the Digital Giant: AI's Emergence in African Media and Communication Section 1: AI In Journalism & Media Practice 2: AI-Powered Personalisation of Media Content in Africa: Enhancing Engagement or Reinforcing Bias? 3: Algorithms, Automated Content and Democracy in Digital Journalism 4: Unlocking Google’s AI Tools for Journalists 5: Automated Journalism in Africa: A Threat or Complement to Traditional Reporting? 6: Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Journalism Practice in Africa: Issues, Challenges and Prospect 7: Artificial Intelligence and Journalism Ethics: A Prescriptive Discourse for Media Scholars and Professionals in Africa 8: Critical Perspectives from African Media and Communication Professionals on the Use of AI in Africa 9: Dystopian Doom or Utopian Dream? Analysing the AI Narratives in African Media 10: Mapping AI Adoption in African Journalism: A Comparative Media Innovation Systems Perspective Section 2: AI in Communication Practice 11: AI in Political Communication and Electoral Campaigns in Africa 12: Artificial Intelligence in Hip-Hop Media: Shaping Youth Perceptions of Women and the Implications for Rape Culture in Africa 13: The Algorithmic Public Sphere: AI, Engagement, and Misinformation on Social Media 14: Artificial Intelligence and the Regulation of Synthetic Social Media Content in Zimbabwe 15: AI Disclosure: Investigating Non-Disclosure of GenAI on Social Media in Africa Section 3: AI In Public Relations and Marketing Practice 16: Personalisation in Marketing Communication in Africa: A Study of Artificial Intelligence 17: AI in Content Marketing Strategy for African Brands Section 4: AI In Media and Communication Pedagogies 18: Balancing AI Integration and Academic Integrity: A Case Study of Three Universities 19: The Integration of AI in Health Communication Education: Opportunities and Challenges in African Contexts 20: Economic and Employment Benefits of Using AI for Enhancing Media Production Skills in African Classrooms 21: Conclusion: Beyond the Hype: Making AI Work for Africa’s Media and Communication Futures