Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how news is produced, distributed, and consumed across the globe. From automated transcription and data-driven investigations to content personalisation and audience analytics, AI has become a central tool in modern journalism. While leading media houses in high-income countries have institutionalised AI within newsroom operations, many developing countries—particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa—are still navigating early and uneven stages of adoption.

Lessons from Mwananchi and Tanzania Standard Newspapers

In Tanzania, where the media industry is undergoing a transition from traditional print models to digital and hybrid platforms, AI presents both a critical opportunity and a significant challenge. This article draws on TICGL’s research discussion paper, Assessment of the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Newsroom Operations at Mwananchi Communications Limited and Tanzania Standard Newspapers, to examine how AI is currently being adopted, the barriers facing newsrooms, and what this means for the future of journalism in Tanzania.

Why AI Matters for Tanzanian Media

Tanzania has more than 200 registered media outlets and a growing demand for fast, accurate, and credible information. At the same time, newsrooms face declining revenues, rising production costs, and intense competition from digital platforms and social media. AI offers solutions to many of these pressures by:

• Reducing time spent on routine tasks such as transcription and summarisation
• Supporting data analysis and investigative reporting
• Enhancing multimedia storytelling and digital engagement
• Improving fact-checking and verification processes

Globally, over 70% of leading news organisations now use AI in at least one core newsroom function. In contrast, Tanzania’s adoption remains largely informal and fragmented, raising concerns about competitiveness, sustainability, and the ability of traditional media to remain relevant in an increasingly algorithm-driven information ecosystem.

Evidence from Tanzanian Newsrooms

The TICGL study focuses on two influential institutions that represent Tanzania’s dual media structure:

• Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) – a private media house and subsidiary of Nation Media Group, known for innovation and digital experimentation
• Tanzania Standard Newspapers (TSN) – a state-owned publisher with a strong public service mandate and more traditional workflows

The findings reveal three key patterns.

1. High Acceptance, Uneven Skills

Journalists and editors in both organisations show strong openness to AI. More than four in five respondents expressed willingness to use AI tools, citing clear benefits in efficiency and productivity. Perceived usefulness of AI is high, especially among senior editors and managers.

However, this acceptance is not matched by adequate skills. Perceived ease of use is moderate, and many journalists—particularly junior staff—report limited understanding of AI tools, their limitations, and ethical implications. This skills gap constrains confident and responsible adoption.

2. Partial and Informal Adoption

AI is already being used in Tanzanian newsrooms, but mostly on an individual and experimental basis. Common applications include:

• Transcription and summarisation
• Research and idea generation
• Basic content drafting and editing
• Multimedia design support

Crucially, neither MCL nor TSN has formal AI policies, newsroom guidelines, or structured training programmes. As a result, usage varies widely between individuals, creating inconsistencies in quality control, ethical standards, and editorial oversight.

3. Efficiency Gains with Emerging Risks

Where AI is used, the benefits are tangible. Journalists report time savings of 30–50% on routine tasks, allowing greater focus on analysis, investigation, and storytelling. AI has also improved speed and multimedia capacity.

At the same time, concerns are growing. These include:

• Over-reliance on automated outputs
• Risk of bias and factual errors
• Increased performance pressure and workload expectations
• Fear of job displacement, particularly in routine roles

Without clear institutional safeguards, these risks could undermine public trust and journalistic integrity.

What This Means for Media Transformation

The findings point to a critical disconnect. At the individual level, journalists recognise AI’s value. At the institutional level, however, AI has not yet become a strategic priority. This gap limits AI’s transformative potential and keeps Tanzanian newsrooms operating below their technological capacity.

From a broader economic and governance perspective, this matters because media plays a central role in shaping public discourse, accountability, and development outcomes. In an era of rising misinformation—particularly around public health and economic issues—responsible AI adoption could strengthen journalism’s public-interest role. Conversely, delayed or unmanaged adoption risks widening the gap between traditional media and digital-native platforms.

The Way Forward

Tanzania’s media sector stands at a turning point. AI can either become a tool that enhances journalistic quality, reduces costs, and supports democratic discourse—or a missed opportunity that accelerates the marginalisation of traditional newsrooms.

Key priorities emerging from the study include:

• Developing clear AI policies and ethical guidelines for media
• Investing in structured AI training and digital literacy for journalists
• Institutionalising AI use within newsroom workflows rather than leaving it to individuals
• Promoting leadership that frames AI as augmentation, not replacement, of human judgment
• Encouraging collaboration between media houses, universities, technology providers, and regulators

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept for journalism—it is already reshaping newsroom operations worldwide. In Tanzania, the foundations for adoption exist in the form of high acceptance and early experimentation. What is missing is systematic institutional action.

By moving from informal use to structured integration, Tanzanian media houses can harness AI to improve efficiency, strengthen credibility, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving information environment. The choice is not whether AI will influence journalism in Tanzania, but whether that influence will be proactive, ethical, and inclusive—or reactive and fragmented.

About the Author

Salome Kitomari is a media and communication researcher whose work focuses on the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in newsroom operations within developing-country contexts. Her research examines how emerging technologies are reshaping journalistic practices, institutional preparedness, ethical standards, and media sustainability in Tanzania.

Her scholarly interests include digital journalism, media innovation, agenda-setting in technologically evolving media environments, and the intersection between journalism, public interest, and policy in Africa. Through empirical analysis of both private and state-owned media institutions, her work contributes evidence-based insights into how AI can enhance efficiency and credibility in journalism while safeguarding editorial integrity.

This article is adapted from her research discussion paper, Assessment of the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Newsroom Operations at Mwananchi Communications Limited and Tanzania Standard Newspapers, published by TICGL – Tanzania Investment and Consultant Group Ltd, Economic Research Centre.

Note for TICGL Website:
This article is based on TICGL’s Research Discussion Paper “Assessment of the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology in Newsroom Operations at Mwananchi Communications Limited and Tanzania Standard Newspapers”, which is provided as a downloadable attachment for readers seeking detailed methodology, empirical findings, and academic references.