Luminate has provided funding to the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) to establish an inclusive Artificial Intelligence (AI) collective in Nigeria. This pioneering initiative aims to lead nationwide research, innovation, and governance of AI technologies while fostering a dynamic community of practice.
CJID, alongside its partners – Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University) and Data Science Nigeria – will spearhead this endeavor. Together, they aim to ensure that AI in Nigeria is designed, developed, and deployed in a safe, responsible, and ethical manner for the benefit of society at large.
According to Luminate, CJID will coordinate the collective’s efforts on AI governance, collaborating with other civil society organizations and media NGOs to explore AI’s implications in the information ecosystem and wider society.
The Lagos Business School is expected to lead research activities and serve as a research manager while also providing training programs and nurturing talent through academic courses and research projects. Simultaneously, Data Science Nigeria, the first dedicated AI start-up incubation hub in Nigeria, will spearhead initiatives to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in AI, establishing a platform for start-ups to develop and scale AI solutions.
Luminate expressed optimism about how this inclusive strategy process and the resulting work will shape Nigeria’s approach to AI, inspire other work across the continent, and contribute to global discussions on the governance and guardrails needed for this transformative technology.
Establishing the Nigerian AI Collective is expected to enable Nigeria to leverage the transformative potential of AI to spur economic growth, innovation, and societal advancement, positioning itself as a leading force in AI for good on the African continent and globally.
Akintunde Babatunde, the Director of Programmes at CJID, expressed gratitude to Luminate, highlighting CJID’s role in enhancing journalism across Africa by developing innovative tools and supporting journalists and civil society to leverage civic technology and AI for democratic accountability.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating critical perspectives from African policy experts in discussions about new digital technologies and AI’s future. CJID plans to support the collective over the next three years by launching a media fellowship on AI and hosting dialogues and discussion series on various AI use cases.
Luminate’s objectives for the Nigerian AI Collective include facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration, capacity building, innovation and research, policy advocacy, and cultivating international partnerships to position Nigeria as a key player in the global AI community.
CJID, as a media innovation and democratic accountability organization, aims to transform African media landscapes by breaking information barriers and bolstering democratic processes through research and technological advancements in journalism. It actively supports media organizations, journalism schools, and civil society groups, empowering journalists and media professionals to amplify their impact in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world.
