Photo caption: L-R, Mr. Niyi Jeariogbe, the Coordinator, Mrs Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, Miss Ope Dada and Mrs Adenike Marcus, all of CIPR, at the training
In a bid to stay up to date with the latest trends and enhance their job performance, the staff of the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR) at Lagos State University (LASU) recently participated in an in-house training session.
The training, titled “AI, Search engine and more: tools for effective information dissemination and Public Relations Activities,” took place on February 23, 2024, at the CIPR Conference Room, located on the 3rd Floor of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building on the main campus in Ojo, Lagos.
During the training, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, the Coordinator of CIPR, emphasized the critical importance of such training for the university’s operations. She stressed the need for Information and Public Relations specialists to stay abreast of the latest advancements in technology, which drive innovation and creativity. Thomas-Onashile encouraged all attendees to make the most of the training and apply the knowledge to their profession.
The resource person for the training was Mr. Samuel Fadipe, the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Information Communication Technology at LASU. Fadipe delved into the definitions and applications of Information, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and search engines. He explained that AI refers to the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks associated with intelligent beings. He highlighted how AI has transformed information dissemination by removing barriers and filtering out distortion in the information process chain.
Furthermore, Fadipe discussed the impact of AI in Public Relations, emphasizing its potential for content creation, press conferences, news monitoring, enhancing social media presence, crisis detection, personalized messaging, and more. He also introduced various search engine tools, including Google Alerts, Semdrusin, Buzzsumo, and Ahrefs, which aid in Public Relations activities. Additionally, he shared a list of AI tools that journalists can utilize in the newsroom, such as Newsroom Article Generator, AI Image generator, AI Article Summaries, AI Fact Checkers, and Comment Moderator.
Fadipe reassured Information and Public Relations specialists that AI would not replace their jobs but rather enhance their performance and productivity. He emphasized that AI’s vast knowledge reservoir acts as a valuable repository, enabling professionals to excel in their roles.
The well-attended training concluded with a vote of thanks from Gbadegesin Olanrewaju Daud, the Officer in Charge of Training. Daud expressed gratitude on behalf of the Coordinator, unit heads, and colleagues for the enlightening session. He highlighted the training’s focus on leveraging AI and search engine tools to optimize the performance of information and public relations specialists.
The event proved to be an eye-opening engagement, equipping LASU CIPR staff with the necessary skills to effectively disseminate information and engage in public relations activities.
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