By Bhekisisa Mncube
02 November, 2023
Cape Town, South Africa: The 6th Africa Business Media Innovators (ABMI) conference, hosted by Bloomberg Media, brought together a constellation of thought leaders, innovators, and visionaries to explore the intersection of technology, creativity, governance, and media in Africa.
Over three days, the event provided a platform for captivating conversations, illuminating insights, and thought-provoking discussions. Here, we synthesize critical takeaways from this dynamic event, focusing on the power of AI, art and activism, governance in Africa, and the media's role in democracy.
AI in Media: Ethics, Transparency, and Innovation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the media landscape in Africa, offering innovative solutions while raising critical questions about ethics and transparency. Industry leaders at ABMI 2023 emphasized that while AI is a valuable ally, ethical practices and responsible use are paramount.
Claudia Quinonez, Global Head of Content Innovation at Bloomberg News Innovation Lab, opened the discussion by highlighting the transformative impact of AI in newsrooms. Bloomberg News has been experimenting with AI to generate financial stories, but Quinonez underscored that AI doesn't replace human judgment; it enhances scalability and efficiency. Journalists remain vital for adding context and editorial decisions.
Quinonez introduced ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, as a powerful tool that lowers the barriers to AI implementation. She urged news organizations to embrace experimentation while cautioning against over-reliance on Large Language Models like ChatGPT for all content creation.
However, the discussion also acknowledged the potential risks associated with Large Language Models, including their lack of rationality, which can lead to the generation of false information, known as hallucination. Quinonez urged news organizations to be vigilant about gender bias in AI-generated content and to prioritize intellectual property protection.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Managing Director for Spotify in Africa and the Middle East, sought insights into training newsrooms in AI. Quinonez encouraged news organizations to take the initiative, emphasizing the importance of coding skills, especially among younger team members.
Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler and Nobel Prize laureate, raised concerns about preventing AI hallucinations. Quinonez acknowledged that the industry hasn't fully addressed this issue but suggested strategies like using clear prompts and limiting creativity to mitigate potential problems.
Art and Activism: Amplifying African Voices
Africa's creative talents are poised for global recognition, with a shared belief that the arts represent a substantial industry. During the ABMI Conversations titled "Art and Activism – Telling Our Stories," influential African American women, including comedian Yvonne Orji and actress-playwright-activist Danai Gurira, emphasized the need for authenticity and promoting African narratives.
Yvonne Orji shared her journey to becoming an artist, highlighting her challenges when transitioning from public health to the arts. She stressed the importance of normalizing the arts, supporting emerging artists, and advocating for African ownership of artistic endeavours.
Danai Gurira, inspired by her experiences in South Africa during her studies, emphasized the power of storytelling in activism. She challenged artists to create thought-provoking and unconventional work that makes audiences uncomfortable. Gurira advocated for authentic narratives and protagonists that reject Western expectations.
Both Orji and Gurira underlined the importance of embracing cultural roots, promoting African stories globally, and nurturing the next generation of African artists.
Governance Excellence in South Africa
South Africa stood out as a beacon of governance excellence in the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG), securing an impressive score of 67.7 out of 100. This achievement placed South Africa in the 6th position out of 54 African countries, surpassing continental and regional averages.
The IIAG, presented at ABMI 2023, defines governance as the delivery of political, social, economic, and environmental benefits that citizens expect from their state. South Africa's strong performance extended to press freedom, achieving a remarkable rating of 87.4 out of 100.
During a breakout session, Diego Fernández, Senior Analyst at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, stressed the importance of robust data in policymaking. He highlighted that sound policies rely on accurate data, and the IIAG framework underwent comprehensive revision in 2020 to enhance its reliability.
Fernández also pointed out that nearly 90% of IIAG indicators now rely on multiple sources or variables, reducing bias associated with single-source data. This enhancement ensures a more accurate assessment of governance performance across African countries.
Saymon Nascimento, Communications Manager at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, emphasized the IIAG's comprehensive coverage, spanning all 54 African nations over the past decade. This holistic approach ensures a thorough governance evaluation, including aspects like the rule of law and media freedom.
Media's Role in Democracy: Amplifying Voices
In a session on "Media's Role in Democracy" at ABMI 2023, Nobel-winning journalist Maria Ressa and esteemed South African jurist Albie Sachs discussed the critical importance of the media in thriving democracies.
Albie Sachs lamented the scarcity of community-based journalists but expressed optimism about the growing radio and film sectors in South Africa. He emphasized the need for journalism to not only speak truth to power but also convey beauty, values, and compassion. Sachs urged journalists to amplify African voices in the global media narrative.
Maria Ressa echoed Sachs's sentiments, emphasizing the need for nurturing community-based media that fosters community building. She called upon news leaders to collaborate and address the challenges arising from the impact of social media. Ressa stressed the need for adaptability, the development of new revenue models, and the integration of data and technology to create sustainable business models for the media industry.
Both Ressa and Sachs highlighted the importance of focusing on local audiences and catering to their needs before seeking global recognition. They called for an embrace of fear, dedication to the profession, and a commitment to avoiding the promotion of hate.
Innovations Driving Digital Media and Entertainment
Africa's digital media and entertainment industry is fueled by its rich diversity, creativity, and youthful population. The session on "Innovations Driving Digital Media and Entertainment" at ABMI 2023 showcased the successes and challenges in monetization within this burgeoning space.
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Managing Director for Spotify Africa and the Middle East, highlighted Spotify's growth in Africa, driven by the adaptability of Afrobeat music on social media platforms. She emphasized the importance of nurturing local talent and growing African music within the continent.
Jason Njoku, Founder and CEO of Iroko TV, discussed the challenges of digital streaming in Africa, emphasizing the need for competitive pricing and authentic local content. Njoku stressed the value of owning digital streaming platforms to tell stories that resonate with African audiences.
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & GM of Paramount Africa and lead BET International for Paramount International, recognized Africa's growing demand for local content. Twala emphasized innovation in children's products and merchandising to appeal to local audiences and expand its reach to diaspora audiences.
George Anders, Senior Editor at Large at LinkedIn, highlighted LinkedIn's role in connecting professionals across Africa and supporting job advertisements. LinkedIn has become a valuable resource for job seekers and employers in the region.
In conclusion, ABMI 2023 served as a platform for dynamic conversations that underscored Africa's powerful intersection of AI, art, governance, and media. The event emphasized the need for responsible AI use, the importance of authentic African storytelling, governance excellence in South Africa, the media's critical role in democracy and the vast potential of Africa's digital media and entertainment industry. As Africa continues evolving, these insights are vital for shaping the continent's future and global impact.
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