Navigating the AI Revolution- Zimbabwean Journalists on the Frontlines of Technology

By Evans Jona

Harare — In a quiet newsroom tucked away in Harare, a reporter watches as an AI transcription tool converts a 30-minute interview into text within minutes. Across the country, other journalists experiment with AI-powered analytics platforms, letting algorithms identify which stories are trending on social media and how audiences engage with their reporting. For Zimbabwean reporters, artificial intelligence promises efficiency — but also poses unprecedented ethical and professional challenges.

“I’ve started using AI to transcribe interviews and draft summaries,” said one journalist at a leading online publication. “It saves time, especially when deadlines are tight. But I always review the output carefully. AI can’t understand context or nuance the way humans do.”

One of those journalists is Fanuel Chinowaita, a reporter with the Wasu Post, who has begun experimenting with AI tools. “Yes, I’ve used AI tools for transcription, quick research support, and sometimes to structure drafts. My experience has been mixed. AI is very helpful in saving time, but it still requires careful editing to ensure accuracy and contextual relevance to Zimbabwean realities,” he explained.

Chinowaita sees AI as helpful in speeding up production, especially during breaking news, but cautions that “accuracy still depends on human verification. AI can streamline production, but it cannot replace the journalist’s responsibility to fact-check.”

Looking ahead, he predicts that AI will reshape newsrooms. “AI will likely push journalists to focus more on analysis, storytelling, and investigative reporting, while routine tasks like transcription or data processing are automated. It may also create new roles around digital verification and media innovation.”

But with the benefits come deep concerns. “Bias is a major concern since AI models often reflect the data they are trained on, which may not represent African perspectives fairly. There are also risks of misinformation and overreliance, which could undermine editorial independence if not managed properly,” Chinowaita warned.

This worry is not far-fetched. According to Deep trace Labs, AI-generated deep fakes more than doubled globally between 2020 and 2023, with over 1,300 new fake videos detected every month by mid-2023. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum reports that 60% of adults in developing countries encounter fake or misleading content online weekly.

Zimbabwe is not immune. Media users say they are already struggling to separate fact from fabrication. Tawanda Makala, a Harare resident, admitted that the rise of AI-generated visuals has made it difficult to trust online content. “Sometimes I can’t tell if a video or image is real or AI-generated,” Makala said. “It makes me question everything I read online, even from legitimate news sources.”

The danger of being deceived by AI-generated visuals is not hypothetical. Newsreader Terence Vhumiri recounted being misled by an AI-manipulated video. The footage appeared to show a protest in Harare, complete with banners and chanting crowds. “I believed the footage was real because of the quality and the graphics,” Vhumiri said. “It was only after cross-checking with sources on the ground that I realised it had been fabricated using AI.”

Such cases underscore the dangers of overreliance on unverified digital content. Chinowaita stressed that AI must be treated as a support system, not an editorial replacement. “I would treat it as a draft tool, not a finished product. I would edit and fact-check AI-generated content before publication. Trust must be earned through human oversight.”

The economic reality of Zimbabwean newsrooms complicates matters further. “Cost and poor digital infrastructure are major barriers,” Chinowaita explained. “Many newsrooms cannot afford advanced tools, and internet connectivity is uneven. Training is also a challenge because most journalists haven’t been exposed to AI in their work. Trust is another issue — audiences may doubt AI-produced content.”

The question of jobs looms large. Some fear automation could displace workers, but Chinowaita sees a different possibility: “Some routine jobs may be replaced, but at the same time, new opportunities will emerge in digital storytelling, audience engagement, and AI oversight. It depends on how our media houses choose to adapt.”

That adaptation, he argues, requires investment in skills. “Digital literacy, data analysis, multimedia production, and fact-checking skills will be essential. Journalists will also need to understand how AI works in order to use it responsibly and spot its limitations.”

For audiences, reactions to AI-driven content have been mixed. “Yes, some audiences are skeptical when they sense content is machine-produced,” Chinowaita said. “At the same time, they appreciate faster updates and interactive formats powered by AI. It shows that balance is key, audiences want speed but still trust human voices.”

As policymakers weigh regulation, journalists are urging safeguards to protect editorial independence. “Invest in training journalists to use AI responsibly, create policies that protect editorial independence, and ensure local perspectives are reflected in the technology,” Chinowaita advised. “Policymakers should also support infrastructure development so AI benefits are not limited to urban elites.”

Despite skepticism, there is a cautious optimism. “AI is not a replacement for journalists,” a senior editor noted. “It’s a partner — but one that requires careful supervision. Used well, it can make us faster, smarter, and more effective. Used poorly, it could undo decades of work building credibility with our audiences.”

For Zimbabwean newsrooms, the challenge is clear: embrace the promise of AI while safeguarding the principles, ethics, and human judgment that define responsible journalism. How the industry navigates this tension will determine whether AI strengthens or undermines the country’s democratic information space

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