By: Gloria Anderson
With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping the global media landscape, stakeholders in Ghana have been urged to adopt a strategic and cautious approach to its integration, drawing on lessons from Japan’s experience. This call was made at the 3rd JICA Chair event, jointly organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Ghana) and the University of Ghana, to explore the intersection of AI, journalism, and development cooperation.
The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor HAYASHI Kaori, Executive Vice President of the University of Tokyo, who spoke on the theme “From Ink to Intelligence: The Future of Japanese Journalism in the AI Era.” She highlighted the urgent need for journalists and media institutions to understand the implications of AI on information flow, democratic values, and truth-telling.
“Journalism has become even more important in the age of AI, to set certain kinds of principles in the world of information,” Prof. Hayashi noted. She warned against the unchecked spread of fake news and called for stronger institutional frameworks within media organisations to monitor the use of AI and uphold professional standards.
According to her, journalism education must evolve to equip media professionals with a firm grasp of AI and emerging technologies, urging public broadcasters and major media houses to establish fact-checking units and regulatory mechanisms to combat misinformation.
Adding a local perspective, Dr. Lloyd George Adu Amoah, Senior Lecturer and Director at the Centre for Asian Studies, observed that while Japan is known for its technological prowess, it is taking a restrained approach to AI integration, particularly in safeguarding cultural values and journalistic integrity.
“From my research, it is clear that Japan is having second thoughts about the rise of artificial intelligence. The message from Japan is that countries like Ghana must begin to interrogate the broader implications of AI, not just embrace it with idealism,” Dr. Adu Amoah said.
Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, YOSHIMOTO Hiroshi, praised the JICA Chair as a valuable platform for intellectual exchange and shared learning. He acknowledged the dual nature of AI, urging stakeholders to find a balance between its potential benefits and risks.
“This is the third time we are organising the JICA Chair in Ghana, and the focus on AI is both relevant and necessary,” Ambassador Yoshimoto remarked. “We hope Japan’s development story, particularly in science and technology, can serve as a useful guide for Ghana.”
Launched to promote Japanese studies and foster leadership in partner countries, the JICA Chair continues to serve as a bridge for dialogue on global issues. This year’s focus on AI and journalism offered timely insights as Ghana and other developing nations navigate the complexities of digital transformation.
