AI and Climate Change to Take Center Stage at African Science Journalism Conference

The sixth African Conference of Science Journalists will take place in Nairobi from April 26 to 28, 2027, with a focus on equipping journalists to cover scientific developments and issues such as climate change, public health, food security, and artificial intelligence. The conference, organised by the Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture, aims to strengthen science reporting across Africa. More than 200 journalists, researchers, policymakers, and technology experts are expected to attend.

The conference will cover four main areas, including agriculture, environment, energy, and algorithms, as well as health, epidemics, and technology. The programme will also explore the future of science journalism and feature visits to laboratories, farms, and companies around Nairobi. MESHA Chief Executive Officer Aghan Daniel stated that the conference would examine how journalists can counter misinformation and pseudoscience to improve public trust in scientific institutions.

The conference comes at a time when African countries face challenges linked to climate change, food security, energy supply, biodiversity loss, and emerging public health threats. The growing use of AI in newsrooms will also feature in discussions, including how journalists can use the technology in research, data collection, and information distribution while addressing the risks of misinformation.

According to Aghan Daniel, the meeting will highlight the role of science journalism in ensuring that scientific knowledge and technological developments translate into benefits for African communities. The conference aims to provide a platform for scientific communication and collaboration, with MESHA having organised the conference as its flagship event since 2012.

MESHA, established 21 years ago, has been promoting science journalism in Africa through various initiatives. The organisation plans to launch a dedicated conference website with details on the programme and registration. This will provide attendees with easy access to information and enable them to plan their participation in the conference.

The conference programme will feature a range of activities, including panel discussions, workshops, and presentations. These will be led by experts in the field of science journalism and related areas. The event will provide a valuable opportunity for journalists and experts to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in science reporting.

The African Conference of Science Journalists is a significant event that highlights the importance of science journalism in Africa. With its focus on AI, climate change, and other pressing issues, the conference is expected to make a positive impact on the way science is reported in Africa. Key points to be discussed include the role of AI in science journalism, the challenges of reporting on climate change, and the need for accurate and reliable science reporting.

Key points

• The conference will focus on equipping journalists with skills to cover scientific developments and issues such as climate change, public health, food security, and artificial intelligence.
• The growing use of AI in newsrooms will feature in discussions, including how journalists can use the technology in research, data collection, and information distribution while addressing the risks of misinformation.
• The conference aims to provide a platform for scientific communication and collaboration, with MESHA having organised the conference as its flagship event since 2012.