AE-FUNAI Hosts ACSPN, Highlights Role of Artificial Intelligence in Media and Security

The Department of Mass Communication at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, has hosted the Eminent Person’s Series Workshop of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), with discussions focused on the evolving relationship between the media, national security, and artificial intelligence.

Held on the university campus, the event marked the first time the ACSPN workshop was hosted at AE-FUNAI since the establishment of its Ebonyi State chapter in 2021. The workshop brought together academics, government officials, students, and media professionals to interrogate the role of emerging technologies in reshaping communication practices and responses to security challenges.

With the theme “The Media, Security and Artificial Intelligence,” participants explored how AI is transforming journalism, media ethics, and information dissemination in the context of Nigeria’s complex security environment.

The Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Joseph Chukwu, who also serves as the ACSPN State Coordinator, noted the significance of the university’s partnership with the association. He explained that the annual workshop has become a critical platform for capacity building, research engagement, and policy discourse in the field of communication studies.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Sunday Elom, was present at the event, a development seen by many participants as a reflection of AE-FUNAI’s institutional commitment to thought leadership and research-driven engagement with national issues.

A representative of the Ebonyi State Government, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, acknowledged the importance of AI in modern security strategies. He called for the workshop’s outcomes to contribute to actionable recommendations that support government efforts in addressing emerging threats.

The national leadership of ACSPN, represented by a former Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Chike Emma Onwe, described the event as aligned with the association’s mission to foster innovation, academic excellence, and professional development among communication scholars. He emphasised the importance of adopting AI responsibly, particularly in contexts where media and national security intersect.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Smart Otu, a Criminology and Security Studies scholar, represented by Dr. Uchenna Nnam. The presentation traced the global discourse around artificial intelligence, defining it as the capacity of machines to perform cognitive tasks traditionally handled by humans. The lecture noted that AI is now integral to content generation, data analysis, and news distribution, with significant implications for media efficiency and audience engagement.

Beyond its benefits, the presentation also highlighted critical challenges associated with AI integration, including ethical concerns, reduced editorial oversight, and the risk of media systems being influenced by state actors or algorithmic bias. The lecturer stressed that for the media to play its watchdog role effectively in the security sector, journalists must operate with a degree of independence, professionalism, and protection from political interference.

The event concluded with renewed calls for Nigerian universities to deepen their research and curriculum offerings on artificial intelligence, media ethics, and digital security, especially within communication and social science faculties.

The ACSPN Eminent Person’s Series Workshop is part of the association’s flagship efforts to bridge academic research with industry practice and policy advocacy in the communication sector.