A professor at the University of Tokyo, HAYASHI Kaori, has urged media professionals in Ghana to exercise caution and adopt a measured approach in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies within their newsrooms and editorial practices.
Speaking during the 3rd Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chair event in Accra, Prof. Kaori emphasized the need for media houses to strike a balance between embracing innovation and safeguarding journalistic ethics.
Her lecture, themed “From Ink to Intelligence: The Future of Japanese Journalism in the AI Era,” traced the evolution of Japan’s media—from its early print traditions in the 19th century to its contemporary, tech-driven challenges.
Prof. Kaori acknowledged that AI presents transformative opportunities for journalism but stressed the heightened responsibility that comes with its use.
“Journalism has become even more important in the age of AI, setting certain kinds of principles in the world of information,” she said, cautioning against the dangers of misinformation, fake news, and algorithmic bias.
She explained that in Japan, while AI is being deployed for tasks such as news automation and content curation, media organisations remain wary of its broader implications on editorial independence and accuracy.
As such, there is a concerted push to establish institutional safeguards that monitor how AI tools are used and ensure that human oversight remains central.
Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Yoshimoto Hiroshi, also spoke at the event and described AI as a double-edged sword.
He praised the JICA Chair initiative as a valuable platform for deepening collaboration between Japan and Ghana in areas such as media, technology, and development policy.
“This is the third time we are organising the JICA Chair in Ghana, and the focus on AI is both relevant and necessary,” Ambassador Hiroshi said.
He expressed hope that Japan’s experiences with AI adoption—particularly in the field of media—would serve as useful reference points for Ghana.
Dr. Lloyd George Adu Amoah, Senior Lecturer and Director at the Centre for Asian Studies at the University of Ghana, reinforced the point by noting Japan’s cautious approach to AI.
He pointed out that while Japan is a global leader in technology, it is also deliberate in protecting its cultural values and the ethical standards of its media institutions.
“From my research, it is clear that Japan is having second thoughts about the rapid spread of artificial intelligence,” Dr. Adu Amoah remarked. “The message from Japan is that countries like Ghana must begin to interrogate the broader implications of AI, not just embrace it with idealism.”
The event brought together academics, journalists, students, and policy advocates to reflect on the intersections of technology, ethics, and the future of media in Ghana and beyond.
