By Joy Odor/Abuja
The National Assembly New Media Forum (NANMF) professionals have been cautioned to brace for unprecedented levels of disinformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, and bot-generated content as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a training session in Abuja on Thursday, the Oak Center Facilitator, Michael Adewumi in his PowerPoint presentation noted that AI has transformed the speed and nature of news, enabling the creation of hyper-realistic fake images, videos, and audio that can be used to manipulate public opinion.
“In the past, fact-checking took time, but now content, true or false, can go viral within minutes,” he said. “We live in a world where AI can generate events that never happened, complete with convincing visuals and sound.”
Participants were warned about the growing sophistication of deepfakes, synthetic media, and AI-powered bots capable of amplifying political agendas.
These technologies, he explained, can build fake online followership, create false narratives, and push targeted propaganda without human intervention.
The session also addressed privacy and cybersecurity concerns, urging journalists to safeguard personal images, documents, and online profiles to prevent malicious AI use.
Examples were given of AI tools creating fake WhatsApp conversations, audio messages, and fabricated eyewitness videos that appear credible at first glance.
While acknowledging AI’s benefits for speed, efficiency, and fact-checking, the Facilitator stressed that journalists must learn to use the technology responsibly to counter disinformation.
Tools such as deepfake detectors, machine learning fact-checkers, and data-mining systems were recommended as essential resources.
“As 2027 draws closer, we will see more sophisticated attempts to mislead the public,” he said. “Our duty as journalists is to ensure that whenever false stories emerge, we provide verified, credible information to protect public trust.”
