New Study: Navigating risks and rewards - How South African journalists use AI in the newsroom

This study provides one of the first comprehensive assessments of how South African newsrooms are adopting and using artificial intelligence (AI). The research finds that AI tools are already widely used for tasks such as research, summarisation, transcription, and drafting content, yet adoption remains informal and uneven across organisations. Most journalists reported receiving little to no formal training on AI, raising concerns about ethical use, accuracy, and the risk of declining public trust. The study highlights the urgent need for structured training, clear editorial guidelines, and the development of tools tailored to African languages and contexts.

Launch Date: 10 April 2026
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Venue: Workshop 17 – The Bank (Rosebank, Johannesburg) - Corner Tyrwhitt and, 24 Cradock Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa

Launch moderated by Liezle Wilson, Senior Anchor and Producer at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Welcome by Hendrik Sittig, Director of KAS Media Programme Sub-Saharan Africa
Findings presented by Karen Allen, Karen Allen International (KAI)

The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on the impact of the findings as well as the practical application of AI in newsrooms. The Panelists will be;

• Prof. Herman Wasserman, Director, Centre for Information Integrity in Africa (CINIA)
• Dr Phathiswa Magopeni Tshangana, Executive Director of Press Council of South Africa
• Lebogang Mokoena, Innovations Manager, Arena Holdings
• Mamaponya Motsai, CEO, Fraycollage

Read more about the findings of the study in the official press release document. 

Join us for the launch on 10 April by registering here: Registration - Navigating risks and rewards: How South African journalists use AI in the newsroom 

Live-stream Link coming soon!