Innovation on air at Mtaani Radio in Kenya

The potential of GenAI to propel Mtaani Radio operations unveiled thanks to a collaborative effort between CfA and DWA.

Mtaani Radio, located in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya, serves as a platform for the diverse voices of local communities. It embodies grassroots journalism and the strength of local storytelling.

Thanks to an artificial intelligence (AI) fellowship programme spearheaded by Code for Africa (CfA) in partnership with Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA), the media has unlocked the transformative potential of Generative AI (GenAI).

As a GenAI Engineer Fellow at Mtaani Radio, I played a crucial role in integrating GenAI tools to enhance newsroom operations, from content creation to fact-checking and translation.

The goal was to bring the radio station up to speed with modern journalism practices.

At Mtaani Radio, journalists are involved in various activities, from anchoring news segments to reporting and creating engaging social media content. However, amid their dedication lie numerous challenges: limited research time, language translation barriers, and the daunting task of fact-checking in a fast-paced environment. It was here that GenAI emerged as a game-changer.

They identified opportunities for GenAI to assist in translating scripts, adapting language and context for local relevance, and generating social media posts and captions. Harnessing the power of GenAI tools like ChatGPT, we aimed to revolutionise newsroom operations.

Research became more comprehensive, translations flowed seamlessly, and fact-checking reached new levels of accuracy. GenAI became our silent collaborator, empowering journalists to delve deeper into stories and reach a wider audience.

The benefits of using GenAI encompass the following areas:

• AI-enhanced research and lead generation: GenAI, specifically Chat GPT, revolutionised background research and lead generation at Mtaani Radio. For instance, while covering topics such as vesicovaginal fistula and autism in Kenya, GenAI tools facilitated gathering comprehensive, relevant information that was otherwise challenging to acquire​​.
• Translation and localisation: Gen AI significantly aided in translating journalistic content from English to Swahili, enhancing accessibility for the local audience. This application proved especially advantageous in translating scripts for reporters and adapting social media content to suit the local audience​​.
• Crafting interview questions: GenAI tools were employed to draft pertinent interview questions, ensuring well-prepared and informative sessions on diverse topics such as business planning and International Women’s Day, catering to English and Swahili-speaking audiences​​.
• Fact-checking: Leveraging GenAI for fact-checking enhanced the accuracy and reliability of information disseminated by the radio station. The tool was instrumental in verifying details from various sources, including community events and news updates​​.
• News generation and script writing: GenAI was pivotal in generating news content and scripts, especially for sports and business news segments, which were later translated into Swahili to cater to a broader audience​​.

Navigating challenges: The GenAI frontier

However, our journey was not without obstacles. Major news outlets often erected barriers, hindering access to AI models and restricting our access to vital information. Additionally, the threat of content hallucination loomed large, with instances of inaccurate or irrelevant data undermining our efforts.

Innovative solutions were devised to address these challenges. Strengthening collaborative networks, improving the GenAI model, and refining language algorithms became our guiding principles. We aimed to unleash GenAI’s full potential through continual iteration and adaptation while mitigating its limitations.

A journey of personal and professional growth

From a personal perspective, the fellowship transcended mere professional development — it was a journey of personal growth and discovery. Witnessing the transformative power of GenAI in real-time reaffirmed my belief in technology’s ability to reshape the world around us. Moreover, the experience at Mtaani Radio imparted invaluable lessons, shaping my future endeavours in media and journalism.

In conclusion, the partnership with Mtaani Radio elevated journalistic standards and laid the groundwork for future innovation. As we stand on the cusp of a new era in journalism, one thing is certain — the marriage of GenAI and grassroots storytelling holds the key to a more informed, connected world.

This blogpost was written by Dominic Mule, under the Generative AI Fellowship Programme conducted by Code for Africa in partnership with Deutsche Welle Akademie. It was edited by AFCA Chief Coordinator Bilal Tairou, with PesaCheck Copy Editors Mary Mutisya and Amisi Paul. It was approved for publication by Doreen Wainainah, Managing Editor at PesaCheck.