Monday August 24, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Dennis UDOMA
The United States Consulate General, Lagos, has commenced a two-day capacity-building programme for journalists in Akwa Ibom State, focusing on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in modern news production.
The training, titled “AI for Journalists: U.S. Technologies Transforming News Production,” is being held at the University Library, University of Uyo, Nwaniba Campus.
The first session began on Monday, August 24, 2026, and will climax with the second session on Thursday, August 27. Both sessions are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Organised through the Public Diplomacy Section of the US Consulate General, Lagos, the initiative is designed to expose journalists to practical applications of AI in newsroom operations while strengthening their capacity to adapt to the rapidly changing digital journalism landscape.
The lead facilitator for the first session, Chris Coates, Senior Director of Local News at Lee Enterprises, oversees editorial strategy and newsroom transformation across more than 70 local news organisations in 25 states in the United States.
Coates, who has over two decades of newsroom experience, specialises in local journalism, audience engagement and digital innovation, including the practical application of AI in journalism workflows.
He also leads training programmes and workshops for editors and journalists across the United States and previously served as Executive Editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The training is expected to equip participants with practical knowledge of emerging technologies reshaping news gathering, content production and audience engagement, as well as strategies for integrating AI into newsroom workflows without compromising professional journalistic standards.
The programme also highlights the growing importance of AI literacy in journalism as news organisations worldwide increasingly adopt technology to enhance newsroom efficiency, improve content production and expand audience reach.
Welcoming participants to the centre, the Director, Uyo Window on America, Dr. Egbe Adewole-Odeshi, said the facility was open to the public and offered programmes designed to benefit various groups, including journalists.
She encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided through the centre to improve their professional knowledge and engage with emerging trends in the media industry.
