Panos Institute Southern Africa Executive Director, Sifile Vusumuzi has called on media institutions to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly, stressing that radio continues to be a trusted, accessible platform for engagement and national development.

Mr Vusumuzi said AI offers opportunities to speed up content production but warned against misuse that could spread misleading information.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka district, Mr Vusumazi said AI is influencing how people access and share information across the country.

He said radio remains a vital medium for all, especially the poor and marginalised.

“Radio has been part of Zambia’s development even before independence,” he said,

Mr Vusumuzi added that radio also contributed to regional liberation struggles and Zambia’s democratic growth.

Meanwhile, MISA Zambia Chairperson, Lorraine Chisanga, urged media houses to create policies guiding ethical AI use.

Ms Chisanga said journalists are being trained to use AI responsibly in radio and TV.

She emphasised that AI is a tool to ease journalists’ workload, helping with transcription, proofreading, and summarising, while core reporting and interviews remain essential.

Media stakeholders are describing this year’s World Radio Day, themed “Radio and Artificial Intelligence,” as timely, given how AI is changing the media landscape.