The 5th edition of the Africa Fact Summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 21-22, 2026, brought together journalists and fact-checkers to discuss innovative approaches to information verification. One of the key topics was "vibe coding," an approach that enables the creation of customized monitoring and fact-checking tools without requiring coding skills. This method utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to generate web applications, making it easier for journalists to combat misinformation.
Noël Kokou Tadegnon, Editorial Manager at TogoCheck, presented "Base44" and "Lovable," AI-powered tools that can generate web applications automatically. He emphasized the importance of formulating effective prompts to get the desired results from these tools. According to Tadegnon, the art of prompt formulation is the only prerequisite for using these tools, which can be used to create monitoring and information verification tools.
During the summit, Tadegnon demonstrated how to use Google Colab, a tool for data processing and scraping, which can also correct execution errors automatically using AI. He also showcased Veritas IA, a chatbot developed at TogoCheck that uses AI to evaluate the reliability of information based on keywords and restrict searches to media outlets certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).
Veritas IA assigns a reliability score to the results obtained, allowing users to assess the credibility of information. The chatbot can also be customized to query only certified IFCN media outlets, providing users with a more reliable source of information. Additionally, the tool can be configured to focus on scientific articles, making it a valuable resource for researchers and journalists.
Another tool presented was Vibe Motion, a video editor designed for both humans and AI. This tool can generate video capsules summarizing an activity, making it easier to create engaging content. According to Tadegnon, these tools can support African newsrooms, which often face technical resource constraints in the face of rampant misinformation on social media.
The Africa Fact Summit provided a platform for journalists and fact-checkers to share knowledge and experiences in combating misinformation. The event highlighted the need for innovative solutions to address the spread of false information and the importance of collaboration in promoting fact-checking and media literacy.
The use of AI-powered tools like "vibe coding" is becoming increasingly important in the fight against misinformation. By leveraging these tools, African journalists and fact-checkers can improve their ability to verify information and provide accurate reporting, ultimately contributing to a more informed public discourse.
Key points
- Journalists and fact-checkers discuss "vibe coding" for AI-powered fact-checking tools at the 5th Africa Fact Summit.
- "Vibe coding" enables the creation of customized monitoring and fact-checking tools without requiring coding skills.
- AI-powered tools like Veritas IA and Vibe Motion can support African newsrooms in combating misinformation.
