By Saheed Ibrahim

A Mass Communication scholar, Dr Hakeem Adebumiti has highlighted the need to balance AI reliance and critical thinking skills to prepare journalism students effectively for the evolving industry.

The Ag. Head of the Mass Communication Department, Achievers University, Owo, noted that contemporary journalism students often depend heavily on AI tools like ChatGPT and Meta AI, as well as online search engines, to complete assignments. 

He added that reliance on technology extends beyond the classroom, saying “Press secretaries now use AI to draft speeches for presidents and governors, a task that once required careful thought and creativity. While AI offers efficiency, over-reliance on it diminishes the role of critical thinking in journalism.”

While citing examples of inaccuracies in AI-generated content to illustrate the risks, he identified outdated curricula and insufficient coverage of essential topics in journalism education as critical challenges. 

While highlighting that lecturers cannot give students everything they need to know, he stressed the need for workshops and seminars to supplement classroom education.

The publisher of The Precision news channel emphasised the importance of students and educators developing their knowledge base to effectively use AI tools. 

“If students and lecturers are knowledgeable, they can use AI to support their work rather than replace their intellectual efforts. This approach ensures that the use of AI enhances rather than hinders critical thinking skills, he said.

The expert cautioned that while AI and digital tools provide efficiency, over-reliance on them can erode creativity and critical thinking — essential components of high-quality journalism. Balancing technology use with critical thinking is necessary for developing competent journalists.

He praised the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) introduction of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS), allowing universities to update 30% of their curriculum to reflect industry trends.

This flexibility supports modernising journalism education to address current challenges. Additionally, he called for more government funding through grants and scholarships to improve journalism training and ensure quality education for future journalists.

He stressed the need for practical training through workshops, internships, and continuous professional development for lecturers to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Adebumiti urged students to use AI tools to enhance, not replace, their intellectual effortsl